Patriots Grapple with Judon's Contract Discontent Ahead of Season Opener
In a surprising development, the New England Patriots are facing an unexpected challenge as outside linebacker Matthew Judon did not participate in the team’s first full-pads practice of training camp on Monday. Judon, who had been actively involved in the team’s earlier four practice sessions, was present at the start of the session but soon adopted a passive stance.
Notably, Coach Jerod Mayo and Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf engaged in discussions with Judon on the field, attempting to navigate the situation. Judon was later observed sitting on a trash barrel, watching the drills, and had additional brief conversations with Mayo, Wolf, and Director of Player Personnel Matt Groh before eventually leaving the field.
Judon, currently in the final year of his contract with a base salary of $6.5 million, is no stranger to contract disputes. The outside linebacker has a history of withholding practice participation to push for contractual improvements during former head coach Bill Belichick’s tenure. The persistent issue of unresolved contract negotiations appears to be causing friction as the Patriots gear up for the NFL season.
Despite his dissatisfaction, Judon expressed conflicting emotions about the business side of football. On the "Shut Up Marc" podcast, Judon remarked, “I love football. I don't love the business of football. I don't want to be the villain. I don't want to be the bad guy. But it's like 'Shoot, help me out. We got the most cap [space] in the league right now.'”
Judon's feelings of unease are further compounded by observing his peers securing improved deals. He noted at the training camp, “Honestly, it's tough going into the last year of the deal. You kind of look at everybody around the league and in the building, and you see them getting deals done and worked out, and it's tough to not be envious or jealous and stuff like that.”
Reflecting on his personal situation, Judon added, “But I have to focus on myself. I'm happy for those guys. As much as everybody wants to see me stay around here for a long time, it's really not up to me. You have to ask those guys who are making those decisions.”
Judon’s reluctance to become a disruptive presence is evident in his comments during an interview with WZLX in Boston. He admitted, “You kind of keep throwing tantrums, tantrums, tantrums -- and then you don't come out there and do what you're supposed to do -- it kind of gets old real fast. I ain't really trying to do that.”
At the same time, Judon attempted to remain focused on his performance on the field rather than resorting to protests or holdouts. He remarked, “I ain't worried about holding out, sitting out, or sitting in, kind of protesting. I'm just going to come out here and kind of play, because last year, that stuff was trash. I ain't really like that.”
The Patriots find themselves in a precarious position with Judon’s absence potentially impacting team preparedness and morale. His situation could spark internal discussions about player satisfaction and contract negotiations within the organization. As the team approaches the NFL season, Judon’s uncertainty looms large over their defensive strategy and overall team strength.
Judon’s absence from the full-pads practice has undoubtedly raised questions about the Patriots' ability to cope with internal discontent and prep adequately for the forthcoming season. Resolving this matter swiftly is imperative for maintaining team unity and achieving success on the gridiron.