Amid his ongoing contract dispute with the New England Patriots, veteran edge rusher Matthew Judon is reportedly becoming a popular trade target.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, "multiple teams have inquired about trading for" Judon, who is making $6.5 million in the final year of his current deal. Fowler added that Judon turned down a contract offer from the Patriots this summer.
Judon has been in attendance at training camp and was a late participant in practice after sitting out earlier sessions. Earlier this month, he was seen having an animated discussion with Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo on the sidelines that concluded with him walking off the practice field.
The veteran linebacker told reporters that he doesn't believe his contract is reflective of his value to New England, but he'd be willing to play out the year on his current deal as a last resort.
"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. 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]," Judon said last week.
A torn biceps limited Judon to just four games last season. Prior to that, he put together a run of four straight Pro Bowl selections after establishing himself as one of the premier pass-rushers in the league.
While prospective teams would be excited to add a player of his caliber, Judon is hoping that he won't be going anywhere.
"Like I told you all before, I would pay myself and we'd never talk about it. But it's not up to me," he told reporters. "I told you all I wanted to stay here the rest of my career."
