If there was any doubt as to whether the Patriots are, or at least should be, in a complete rebuild in 2024, they simply sent him to Atlanta along with Matthew Judon for a third-round pick.

Christian Barmore was probably the turning point. When the Patriots’ standout defensive player was out indefinitely due to blood clots, any great hope that the defense could keep New England competitive disappeared. It’s hard to imagine they could still be good in 2024, so they should have a head start going forward.

Judon is still a good player, but his value is there right away. If the Patriots are ready to compete for titles again, it’s not clear what Judon has left in the tank. It would have made sense to trade him even without his contract issues. The fact that they got a third-round pick for him is outstanding.

For some reasons, Judon will be underrated in Patriots history. When he decided to sign with New England, they were one of the best franchises in the NFL. But while he was sacking quarterbacks, the team around him was falling apart. Despite that, even on bad days, he carried himself like a professional and had an optimistic demeanor. He got along well with the fans and was a willing spokesperson for the media.

Despite the team’s dismal last few seasons and low expectations for the year ahead, Judon has not asked to be traded. At least publicly, he wanted to stay and be part of the rebuilding process. Had he been on one of the great teams in Foxborough, Judon would have been popular. Instead, he will be one of the many forgotten good players from bad teams.

But his influence will linger in Foxborough. The young players New England is hoping to build around have benefited from being around him and watching him work.

Eliot Wolf now has another chip he can use to rebuild the Patriots and should keep looking for more. If someone wants to make an aggressive offer for Davon Godchaux, they should listen. If someone thinks Hunter Henry could give them the edge and wants to make an offer, they should answer the call. They should identify the basic building blocks and focus everything else on improving the future.

Except on the offensive line, where it will pay off to keep Drake Maye during his learning phase, success doesn’t mean much in the present. It’s better to win two games than five. The Patriots probably aren’t looking for a quarterback next year, so they can keep scouts busy targeting the best receivers and offensive linemen in college football.

The Patriots should brace themselves for a tough year and prepare for better days.

Follow MassLive sports columnist Matt Vautour on Twitter at @MattVautour424.