Could Ascension Of This Patriots Defender Make Matthew Judon Expendable?

Matthew Judon's future with the New England Patriots is a bit murky entering training camp.

Judon reportedly is not enthused by his contract situation. And who can blame him? The Patriots gave the star edge rusher a cash advance last offseason and now he's set to receive much less than what he deserves this season.

It's caused many to wonder how New England will move forward with Judon. Could they move on from him rather than sign him to an extension? Dishing out another sweetener feels like a possibility, too, but since the 32-year-old is coming off a season in which he was limited to four games, Eliot Wolf and company have some ground to stand on should they want to play hardball.

Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard currently projects Judon will be a member of the Patriots in 2024. But Bedard, who reported Judon won't play in New England on his current salary, also questioned whether or not the emergence of a second-year defender, Keion White, could make it easier for the Patriots to move on.

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo pointed to White, a second-round pick in 2023, as a player who impressed this spring. Mayo said White not only added strength, but took on a larger leadership role.

"A big piece of the puzzle here is, what else do the Patriots have?" Bedard said during a recent episode of the "Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast."

"Keion White is a big component of this. If he continues to look like he did in the offseason and he looks like, ‘Alright, this guy needs to play. This guy needs to start and play.' Where is that going to be?" Bedard said. "Is that going to opposite Judon? Are you going to sit Anfernee Jennings and Josh Uche? Are you going to sit Deatrich Wise?"

It's worth noting Judon previously said he plans to get ready to play rather than throw any contract-related tantrums. He also denied Bedard's report that he won't play in New England under his current deal. If that proves to be how he feels, then by all means the Patriots should hold onto Judon. He's arguably their best defensive player, after all.

Then again, is Judon really going to remain in New England long term? And if not, why not trade him to a Super Bowl contender and acquire something of substance given its a rebuilding group.

It likely will be a topic of conversation as training camp progresses into late August. Unless, of course, Judon forces New England to address the situation sooner rather than later.