Patriots Coach Jerod Mayo Directly Addresses Matthew Judon Trade ‘Rumors’

With the 2024 NFL season opener closing in on September 5, New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon and the front office are still in a stalemate over contract negotiations.

Because of this, rumors have swirled that Judon could be on the trading block, with the Philadelphia Eagles named as a possible landing spot .

But according to NBC Sports Boston's Nick Goss , Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo dismissed the whispers on August 13 and lauded Judon's professionalism amid the situation.

"We don't really operate in rumors like that," Mayo told reporters from training camp. "The conversations I have with those players are pretty private.

"What I will say is that Judon's done a great job in the meeting room and done everything that we've asked. He's meeting all the expectations."

Judon joined the Patriots via free agency in 2021 on a four-year, $54.5 million deal . Since arriving, he's been a cornerstone of the defensive unit, earning two Pro Bowl nods to up his career total to four.

With skyrocketing salaries across the league for elite pass rushers, the 31-year-old Judon has been open about angling for a lucrative deal. He, however, has largely stayed mum on the trade speculation.

Judon is set to play the 2024 season on a base salary of $6.5 million and a salary cap hit to the Patriots of $14.6 million. The ninth-year veteran suffered a season-ending biceps injury in 2023, limiting him to only four games after not missing any in his first two years with the Patriots.

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