In a surprising turn of events, the Atlanta Falcons have officially acquired linebacker Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots. The trade, which was contingent upon Judon passing a physical examination, was successfully completed as the player showed up and passed the test with flying colors.

As per the Falcons, this means that Judon will join their roster with a base salary of $6.5 million for the current year. While some speculate that Atlanta may have given up a third-round pick for such a relatively low salary, an unbiased source unconnected to either team suggests that this indicates the Falcons have no immediate plans to renegotiate the contract.

When it comes to trades, teams often consider two key factors: what they need to give up and how much they need to pay the player. Generally, a lower salary for the player results in higher trade compensation. Given that Judon was willing to play for $6.5 million this year with the New England Patriots, it is reasonable to assume that he will continue to do so in Atlanta, especially considering his limited ability to maneuver a new deal.

It was believed that Judon's best chance for negotiating a new contract would have been to refuse to report for the physical. However, it is evident that the linebacker is aware of the consequences of such a move and chose to cooperate instead. This suggests that Judon understands he will be playing for the Falcons at his current rate, unless the team decides to offer him a new contract.

In the event that Atlanta does not extend his contract, Judon will become a free agent in 2025. However, for now, he is focused on contributing his skills and talent to the Falcons' defense. Only time will tell if a new deal is on the horizon, but for the 2021 season, Matthew Judon will don the Falcons uniform and aim to make a significant impact on the field.