Linebacker Matthew Judon said in an interview Sunday that he believes the New England Patriots had to trade him, and there was a “disconnect” between the sides before he was dealt to Atlanta.

Judon, who spoke with NBC Sports Boston, said he was upset he never met with front-office leaders during his contract dispute.

“I feel like (they) just never sat down and really came to the table with me,” Judon said. “So I think that’s the biggest point. … It was just always through text messages or phone calls. We just never sat down and actually talked about it. I think that was the biggest disconnect.”

Judon, 32, whom the Patriots swapped for a third-round pick last week, said he relayed requests to his agent. According to reports, the Patriots and Judon never came close in negotiations, as he voiced displeasure over his non-guaranteed $6.5 million base salary.

Judon was demonstrative at times in training camp, leaving one practice before returning to confront Eliot Wolf, the executive vice president of player personnel, on the field, then missing another workout and expressing his discontent multiple times to the media.

But Judon said he doesn’t hold it against the team for trading him. Judon reportedly was allowed to choose his destination, with the Bears and Falcons both offering third-round picks.

“It was tough but it was something that I think the organization needed to do,” Judon said of the deal. “It’s a business decision. I told y’all, man, I love the game. It’s just the business of it, it is what it is. And sometimes it’s tough and sometimes it’s not what you want or expect.”

The Patriots faced a conundrum with Judon in part because of a contract dispute the sides resolved last summer. After two Pro Bowl seasons where he racked up 28 sacks over 34 regular-season games, the Patriots agreed to move up some of his 2024 base salary into the 2023 season. That restructure left Judon woefully underpaid this year, the last on his contract, and a torn bicep injury suffered last October further complicated negotiations.

Judon also expressed well wishes to the organization and fans.

“Through thick and thin, I was really embraced in the community and embraced by the community,” he said, “and I appreciate it.”

THERE IS A CHANCE the Patriots’ offense won’t be at full strength on Week 1 when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals.

Coach Jerod Mayo was asked Monday on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” about the injury situation at tight end, which was without starter Hunter Henry, backup Austin Hooper and third-stringer Mitchell Wilcox in practice Sunday.

“I would say these aren’t extended recoveries for these guys,” Mayo said. “They’ll be ready to go relatively early in the season.”

Hooper already was back at practice Monday. As for Henry, who hasn’t practiced since last week, Mayo was asked if there’s any doubt he’ll play Week 1.

“I wouldn’t say it’s in doubt,” Mayo said. “I mean, right now, we’ve got to see. We still have a lot of time. I think he’ll be there. But once again, when he’s ready to play, he’ll be out there.”

Henry figures to be a favorite target of Jacoby Brissett or Drake Maye, who are competing to become the starting quarterback.

THE PATRIOTS’ STARTERS aren’t getting rest in the team’s third and final preseason game Sunday against the Washington Commanders.

Mayo announced his team’s intention to play everyone during his pre-practice news conference Monday.

“Everyone that’s healthy is going to play in the game,” Mayo said. “Not sure what Washington is going to do but it really doesn’t matter. It’s what we need to do, what we need as a team.”

The Patriots are still trying to settle starting competitions at quarterback and on their offensive line before facing the Bengals in the Sept. 8 opener.

Jacoby Brissett is the expected starter at quarterback but Drake Maye has been making a strong push over the final three practices and Week 2 of the preseason.

The current starting offensive line is left tackle Vederian Lowe, left guard Sidy Sow, center David Andrews, right guard Mike Onwenu and right tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, but rookies Caedan Wallace and Layden Robinson, and veteran Michael Jordan have also been working with starters.

Okorafor has also seen snaps at left tackle, while Onwenu has begun working in at right guard.