NFL fans react to Matthew Judon getting traded to Falcons - "Patriots are done," "They are winning the NFC South"

Matthew Judon finally has a new team. The four-time Pro Bowl linebacker had been unhappy with the New England Patriots for a while, wanting a monstrous extension as he entered the final year of his contract. But on Wednesday, that saga finally ended with him being moved to the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round pick.

Reactions came aplenty.

More can be seen below.

"Patriots are giving the Vikings a run for their money in the race for the first pick," one said.

"Why get worse when the roster is already bad?" another wondered.

"Great deal," another's applause went.

The acquisition of Judon gives the Falcons their first top-tier linebacker since the days of Vic Beasley and Deion Jones. It also helps to ease the mental and psychological pain of losing third-round rookie Bralen Trice for the season to an ACL tear.

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Matthew Judon’s practice walkout, spat with HC Jerod Mayo may have precipitated trade to Falcons

It was already widely known that Matthew Judon wanted out of Foxboro, but a certain event may have convinced the higher-ups to finally act on it.

On July 30 (Monday), he surprised his teammates and fans alike by walking out in the middle of the Patriots’ practice and arguing with new head coach Jerod Mayo. He also skipped the next day’s practice.

Explaining the situation the following week, Judon claimed to have conversed with the former linebacker and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf:

"I didn't want to be a distraction to the team. I went inside. I wasn't participating in those drills that day, so I went inside. Then I got a message so I came back and talked to our GM (Wolf)."

Meanwhile, Mayo had had this to say on August 1:

"Had a great meeting with Judon and we're all moving forward. I remember as a player… it's always a difficult time when you go through contract negotiations and things like that. And in saying that, for the rest of the team, we're pushing forward."

But apparently, the front office was not as impressed and began trade talks behind the scenes.