In 2022, New England Patriots outside linebacker Matthew Judon registered 15.5 sacks on the way to … [+]
Matthew Judon enters the halfway point in his New England Patriots contract, yet with more money up front now than before.
The organization reached agreement with the veteran outside linebacker on an adjustment for the 2023 season that includes $14 million fully guaranteed as well as the chance to earn up to $18 million, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday night.
No additional years were added onto Judon’s deal through 2024. He previously stood with $2 million in guarantees for the upcoming campaign, however, marking the last guarantees left from the frontloaded four-year, $56 million pact signed as NFL free agency opened in 2021.
It is a raise for Judon, who turns 31 this August.
The 2016 fifth-round draft choice out of Grand Valley State has been selected to four consecutive Pro Bowls dating back to his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens. He has not missed a game since arriving at his second stop, starting 31 out of 34.
Judon recorded 34.5 sacks through five campaigns in the league. But his 28 sacks over the past two campaigns tie T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers for third around the league, trailing only Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns and Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers.
And in 2022, he set a career best with 15.5 sacks, which only Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Tippett’s 1984 and 1985 tallies have eclipsed in franchise history. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Judon got there while forcing two fumbles, recovering one, and again having a hand in 60 tackles.
Through 480 snaps in pass rush from September into January, Pro Football Focus charted Judon for 69 combined quarterback pressures. His NFL peers recently ranked him No. 33 on the “Top 100 Players of 2023.”
Judon, who had been a limited participant through the initial weeks of Patriots training camp, kept an even keel when asked about his contract situation in late July.
“I’m happy to be here, man,” Judon told reporters on the practice fields outside Gillette Stadium. “I’m definitely not going to talk contracts with ya’ll. Ya’ll some snitches. But I’m happy I’m here. I’m happy that I’m a Patriot. And then wherever that goes, it goes. The market changes every day. We’ve seen it the first day of training camp. A whole bunch of people got paid. The market changes every day, but I will not talk about contracts with ya’ll.”
The red-sleeved Judon’s cap charge checks in atop New England’s roster, with tight end Hunter Henry and offensive tackle Trent Brown next up, per OverTheCap.com. Prior to revision, he had the opportunity to earn up to $12.5 million in 2023. His contract year remains 2024.
The Houston Texans visit Gillette Stadium for the preseason opener next Thursday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.