OK, so possibly technically, the Patriots discovering a technique to flip Matthew Judon — a 32-year-old participant coming off a significant harm at a place that requires explosiveness — right into a third-round decide, is a constructive final result for New England.
However that does not imply followers ought to really feel completely satisfied about it and what it represents for the way forward for the franchise.
Judon is on his technique to Atlanta the place he’ll probably add a lift to a Falcons staff that has legit purpose to imagine it could possibly win the NFC South and contend for a convention title. The Patriots, in the meantime, have all however embraced their destiny for the 2024 season, and it isn’t good.
We did sort of already know that. Hell, Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft went on the radio simply this week and admitted as a lot to 98.5 The Sports activities Hub’s “Zo and Bertrand Present” in an interview Tuesday.
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“I do not know what our document goes to be this yr, however I am very enthusiastic about what is going on on proper right here at this degree,” the 83-year-old stated, seemingly with a straight face and no sense of sarcasm.
Perhaps the Patriots strike gold with the (probably) top-100 decide they landed from the Falcons within the 2025 draft and take the subsequent Nico Collins. If that occurs, it’ll absolutely be celebrated as an awesome accomplishment, particularly if Judon by no means returns to Professional Bowl-level play, and the Falcons fall on their faces.
However what good does that do a Patriots fan in 2024? Does it even do them any good in 2025? How about 2026?
Clearly, there may not be a extra spoiled fan in sports activities than, say, a 40-year-old Pats supporter. There was greater than sufficient profitable for a lifetime over the past 25 years. However there’s additionally nothing that claims you have to be pleased with what’s in entrance of you now due to what you have seen earlier than.
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Even when the Judon commerce was a “good soccer transfer,” there’s one thing nonetheless sort of miserable about buying and selling your finest participant and doing so primarily for one in every of two causes: Both you simply did not wish to pay him (regardless of $50 million in cap house), otherwise you did not suppose it was value paying him since you’re not even near contending — undecided which one is worse, truthfully.
If the Patriots felt the Judon scenario was untenable at this level, that is sort of them, too, for letting it get thus far.
We already knew this staff wasn’t very gifted. Now, their finest, most marketable participant is gone. The protection, which regarded just like the energy of the staff is crumbling. Judon is gone. Christian Barmore may not be again this season. There is no assure somebody like Joshua Uche makes an affect the staff expects, particularly how a lot he benefited from Judon’s presence on and off the sector. There are even questions on Christian Gonzalez coming into 12 months 2.
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That is simply the protection. By no means thoughts an offense that may’t block, is led by a journeyman quarterback and boasts a receiver room led by a hobbled veteran and a few comparatively unproven children. In hindsight, it certain would have been good to pony up a few of these Judon financial savings for a Calvin Ridley or Jonah Williams.
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Simply 5 months in the past, Kraft stated his “hope and expectation” was to make the playoffs — in 2024! Now, we’re simply enthusiastic about what is going on on. Perhaps keep in mind that once you’re layering on the thermal underwear for Patriots-Chargers in late December when making an attempt to match the 4-13 document of 2023 could be the best-case state of affairs.
“We’re making an attempt to construct one thing particular, and the fan help has been nice. Which means loads,” Kraft stated on the radio this week.
Jettisoning Judon, as essential because it might need been, is one other step again for a staff that hasn’t received a playoff recreation since 2018. That fan help could be wavering greater than Kraft realizes at this level.
