In the NFL, sometimes “Hell no” translates to “Start packing.” Just ask Matthew Judon, whose emphatic stance against leaving the New England Patriots didn’t stop the franchise from shipping him off to Atlanta faster than you can say “contract dispute.”

This week the Patriots blindsided fans and players alike by trading the four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher to the Falcons for a 2025 third-round pick. This bombshell dropped mere weeks after Judon’s heartfelt declaration: “Do I want to be traded? Hell nah. Uh, I feel like, I feel like when you, when you trade it, it’s kind of like, you don’t got no saying so in it. They just come tell you like, Hey bro, you, you leave it.” The linebacker’s words, once a testament to loyalty, now echo with a touch of irony in Foxborough’s suddenly quieter locker room.

Judon’s departure marks the end of a rollercoaster relationship with the Patriots. Since joining the team in 2021, he’s been a quarterback’s nightmare, amassing an eye-popping 32 sacks in just 38 games. His red sleeves became a symbol of impending doom for opposing offenses, as he set career highs with 12.5 sacks in 2021 and a jaw-dropping 15.5 in 2022. To put that in perspective, only Patriots legend Andre Tippett (18.5 in 1984 and 16.5 in 1985) has recorded more sacks in a single season for the franchise.

But the NFL is a business first, and Judon’s desire to stay put couldn’t overcome the financial realities. Set to earn a base salary of $6.5 million in the final year of his contract, Judon had been pushing for a pay bump. “We have a market, it’s set by the highest [paid] guy, then everybody falls in line until the next person is up to break that [top] contract,” Judon explained earlier this month. “Coming from the season I had, I was injured mostly all season, so that’s not really where my market is. But like I said, I don’t think it’s $6.5 [million].”

The trade serves as a stark reminder that in the NFL, loyalty often runs one way. Judon’s plea early this month – “I told you all I wanted to stay here the rest of my career” – now feels like a bittersweet footnote in his Patriots legacy. As he swaps navy blue for Atlanta red, Judon leaves behind more than just impressive stats. He exits a locker room full of friends turned sudden long-distance buddies and a situation that perfectly illustrates his own words as per NFL.com: “There’s football and there’s football business. They are two different things. I love playing football, I love my teammates. I don’t like the business of football.”

From “Brudda” to “Gone Miss You”, teammates bid farewell

The news of Judon’s trade hit his Patriots teammates like a blindside sack. Social media quickly became a virtual memorial wall, with players posting heartfelt tributes.

Ja’Whaun Bentley kicked things off with a nostalgic Instagram story, sharing an on-field photo of him and Judon mid-celebration. It’s a freeze-frame of joy that now feels bittersweet, capturing a partnership cut short by the harsh realities of the NFL business.

Marcus Jones didn’t mince words, his Instagram story bluntly stating the news with a punch-to-the-gut caption: “Gone miss you brudda.” In just five words, Jones summed up the sentiment echoing through the Patriots’ locker room – a mix of shock, sadness, and reluctant acceptance.

Rookie Christian Gonzalez‘s reaction showcased the impact Judon had on even the newest Patriots. His “Damn! Congrats tho appreciate you!!” speaks volumes about Judon’s role as both a teammate and mentor. It’s a bittersweet cocktail of emotions – disappointment at the loss, happiness for Judon’s new opportunity, and gratitude for the time shared. DeMario “Pop” Douglas perhaps captured the moment best, posting a game-day picture with the caption: “Brudda! Stay great.” It’s a farewell that acknowledges the bond formed and the expectation that Judon will continue to shine, even if it’s no longer in Patriot blue.

Additionally, his former Ravens teammate Marlon Humphrey humorously noted that Judon could continue wearing his iconic red sleeves with the Falcons.

As Judon packs his bags for Atlanta, he leaves behind more than just impressive stats. He takes with him a piece of the Patriots’ heart, leaving a void that extends far beyond the football field. The Falcons are getting a player who, despite coming off a bicep tear that limited him to just four games in 2023, has proven he can be a game-changer when healthy. For a team that’s been searching for a bona fide edge rusher for years, Judon could be the missing piece in their defensive puzzle.