Matthew Judon recently got a great new paycheck.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday, the New England Patriots linebacker is getting a “adjustment” to his contract. Judon was supposed to receive only $2 million in guaranteed money for 2023, but he now receives $14 million.
The contract was not extended because no further years were added. According to Schefter, Judon can earn up to $18 million in bonuses.
According to Spotrac data, if Judon earns the full $18 million in 2023, he will be tied for sixth in total cash earnings among all edge rushers. This ranks him alongside the Giants’ Leonard Williams and the Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson.
Judon has 28 sacks in his first two seasons with the Patriots, including 15.5 in 2022, which placed him ninth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He arrived in camp expecting to earn up to $12 million, but only $2 million was guaranteed. Needless to say, he deserved some sort of prize for his efforts.
Guaranteeing him the $12 million plus an additional $2 million guarantees him a raise for 2023 and considerably lowers the need for him to “sing for his supper,” as the expression goes. This does not guarantee Judon will be satisfied with his contract a year from now, but it is good to have him satisfied for the upcoming season.
Judon was a limited participant in the Patriots’ 2023 training camp. Coupled with rumours of his desire for a contract adjustment, it became clear that Judon was apparently undertaking a “hold-in” – not completely missing, but far from fully participating – for that new deal.
The Patriots did the right thing by rewarding the player who has been by far their best over the last two seasons.