Eliot Wolf Provided This Explanation For Patriots Trading Matthew Judon

Matthew Judon will not be easy to replace for the New England Patriots.

Arguably the team's best player, a contract dispute and a developing future direction led the Patriots to trade the Pro Bowl defender to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday for a third-round pick.

In a move that puzzled some, New England executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf discussed how the deal came together for the Patriots.

"These decisions are never easy for us," Wolf shared on the Patriots' preseason broadcast with Scott Zolak, Devin McCourty and Jason McCourty. "With Matthew, who's a core guys and one of our better players. I think Matthew is probably the one who said it best, there's football and then there's the business of football. Sometimes, it's difficult to adjust to each thing. We wish him the best. He was a good player for us. I know he's gonna do good things in Atlanta. We have some guys that are capable of filling the mantle for him."

Judon tallied 28 sacks for the Patriots over his first two seasons before a torn bicep ended his 2023 season after just four games.

Now, the Patriots search for internal production to replace Judon as well as fill in for Christian Barmore, who's out indefinitely with blood clots.