Monday marked day 10 of training camp for the Patriots. And with the on-field product yielding an equal dose of good-and-bad, the attention turned to the post-practice podium, as four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Matthew Judon spoke with the media for the first time since his much-discussed day five of training camp.
In case you need a refresher - that was the day Judon was seen having multiple animated conversations with Patriots brass on the sidelines of practice while attending as a non-participant in a t-shirt and flip-flops. It has been reported by numerous outlets that on the heels of one of those animated conversations, Judon was asked to leave practice by head coach Jerod Mayo.
These conversations, presumably, were about Judon’s contract status heading into this season, as he’s set to play on the final year of his deal, making $6.5 million in 2024. At season’s end, he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
“We had a conversation - I didn’t wanna be a distraction to the team,” Judon said on Monday when asked about what transpired on day five. “I went inside. I wasn’t participating in those drills that day, so I went inside. And then I got a message, so I went back and talked to our [general managers]. Then I went back inside.”
“Sorry I’m animated. I talk with my hands. I’ll start talking like this, and not be so animated,” he said while making it a point to stand still.
Mayo told reporters last Thursday that he and Judon’s conversation on the field during day five was productive, and that the two were “moving forward.” Judon somewhat echoed this sentiment on Monday.
“I feel like every conversation [is productive],” said Judon. “Regardless of the emotions that are involved, you try to get to an understanding. I think just because we don’t agree, don’t mean we don’t understand each other’s sides.”
Earlier in training camp, Judon told the media he was going to play regardless of his contract frustrations, because he signed a deal and he was going to honor that. He somewhat walked that back on Monday.
“Naw, I gotta play, I ain’t say nothing about practice,” said Judon. “I gotta go out there and play. I gotta play the game. I gotta do what I’m contracted and obligated to do so I don’t lose no money.”
When asked what Patriots brass had to say about him missing practice, he told the media, “You can go talk to them.”
In a follow-up question asking if he felt that he and the team were close to agreeing on a new deal, he echoed, “You gotta talk to them, man. Like I told y’all before - I would pay myself and we would never talk about it. It’s not up to me.”
While he did not provide a contract comparison from another player around the league when asked on Monday to do so, he said, “We have a market, it’s set by the highest guy. Then everybody falls in line until the next person is up to break that contract.
“You know, coming from the season I had, I was injured, mostly all season. So that’s not really where my market is. Like I said, I don’t think it’s $6.5 [million].”
When Judon spoke at the beginning of training camp, he made it clear that he wanted to remain in New England for the rest of his playing career. He reiterated that on Monday.
“I told y’all I wanted to stay here the remainder of my career, so I mean, obviously that would equal more [years on a contract],” said Judon. “But I only got one year left. So, I mean, I think with more years would come with more money. That’s usually how a contract work. But it’s not up to me, y’all.
“I be telling y’all, brah. [Patriots brass] be coming out here everyday. Y’all just don’t ask them the questions.”
When asked why he did not participate in practice last Monday outside of the conversations he had with Mayo and management, he was quick to say, “Oh I had something going on with me.”
No elaboration past that.
He continued his coy nature when asked directly about his recent comments on the “Shut Up Marc Podcast,” where Judon told content creator Marc Lewis that he presented the Patriots with a contract offer he would feel comfortable with.
When asked what that contract proposal entailed, he said, “Oh, it’s in my notes [app]. I don’t remember off the top of my head. But somebody asked me if I’m in a good mood. I’m always in a great mood, y’all already know that. So yeah, but I don’t remember. It’s in my notes, though. If I had my phone, I’d show y’all.”
As he wrapped up the above answer, Judon proceeded to pat on the middle pocket of his hoodie as if to look for his phone, and then chuckled to himself.
This attitude falls in line with how he opened the media availability, as sixth-year lineback Jahlani Tavai stepped to the mic with Judon, acting as a mock press secretary, of sorts. For the first two questions, Judon would be asked about a topic by the media, and he would whisper his answer to Tavai. Tavai would then say the answer into the mic, clearly trying to lighten the mood and avoid answering questions about his contract.
Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston told the 6 Rings and Football Things podcast that he was disappointed with how Judon handled Monday’s media scrum.
“I was disappointed today to see him allow himself to go to a podium, or decide to go to the podium initially with Jahlani Tavai,” said Curran. “Having his questions posed to Tavai, and then Judon was whispering the answers - it looks like amateur hour.
“Take it seriously. You’re a personal corporation. It’s not particularly funny. It’s not particularly insightful. Look, the media’s not the enemy here. I think Matt Judon’s getting a pretty fair shake, generally, at least from the Patriots beat media. So just continue to behave maturely and don’t treat it like middle school stuff, and everything will be fine. So I was disappointed to see that.”
The Patriots have one more full practice before their first preseason game of 2024. That practice comes on Tuesday, followed by a walk-through on Wednesday leading into Thursday night’s game at home against the Carolina Panthers.
Whether we see Judon a part of that practice on Tuesday is, according to him, no guarantee.