Patriots' Judon grateful for re-worked deal: 'They didn't have to budge'

New England Patriots pass-rusher Matthew Judon expressed gratitude to the team for re-working his contract.

Judon will now earn $12 million more in fully guaranteed money during 2023. He could also make an additional $4 million in incentives.

"I think it represents that they want to keep me around here or keep me happy, or just they're representing they see what I did and they appreciate it for the organization," Judon said, according to Conor Roche of Boston.com.

"So, when you do something like that - because they didn't quite have to, if we're being quite frank. ... They didn't have to budge. They could've said, 'Sign this and this is what you're going to do.'"

He added: "But they helped me out so I can help the team out."

The 31-year-old signed a four-year, $54.5-million deal with the Patriots in 2021. He has a $16.1-million cap hit next year, according to Over The Cap.

Judon has taken his game to the next level since joining the club. He has 28 sacks in two years with New England, tied for third most in the league since 2021, after failing to surpass the double-digit mark during his five-year tenure with the Baltimore Ravens.

"I'm happy. They're happy. We shook hands. And now, we're playing football," Judon said.

The Grand Valley State product has 356 tackles and 62.5 sacks in 110 career games. New England opens its season Sept. 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles.