Patriots Pro Bowl pass rusher Matthew Judon did more on the practice field during the third day of training camp 2023 in New England on Friday.
One day after reports and speculation circled that the edge playmaker might be having a “hold-in” by not taking part in practice, Judon did some positional drills and even took a few rotational reps in team portions of practice.
He also met with the media afterwards and deemed himself excited to be back to work and focused on getting ready physically for the “real football” of practicing with shoulder pads early next week.
The one thing Judon did not do, though, was completely dispute the idea that he’s looking to alter a contract that will pay him $22 million over the next two seasons, none of it guaranteed. That’s what remains on the four-year, $54 million deal with $32 million guaranteed that landed Judon in New England as a free agent in 2021.
“I’m happy to be here, man. I’m definitely not going to talk about contracts with y’all. Y’all some snitches,” Judon said with his usual smile. “But, I’m happy that I’m here. I’m happy that I’m a Patriot. And then wherever that goes, it goes. The market changes every day. We saw it the first day of training camp. A whole bunch of people got paid. The market changes every day. But I would not talk about contract with you all.”
According to NBC Sports Boston Judon would like to have his contract “adjusted,” meaning he wants more money added to it. Certainly that’s a fair ask given his production in his first two seasons in New England that included career highs of 12.5 and 15.5 sacks in 2021 and 2022.
Judon explained his limited participation the first three days of camp, the first two of which consisted simply of conditioning work.
“Right now we’re just working, me and the coaches and training staff, just working to where when I do practice I’m at a good pace, I can move fast the whole practice,” Judon said. “It’s nothing like that. But it’s more working my conditioning, working on running and making sure I am where I need to be. Because I come out here in shells and stuff and moving slow it doesn’t look good. But when we put on pads, we’ll be here.”
Prior to practice Bill Belichick answered two questions about Judon’s practice absences to open camp by saying, “We have different players that are at different stages of participation.”
When a reporter noted that Judon feels underpaid, he replied simply, “appreciate it.” And he reiterated his stance that as he approaches his 31st birthday next month he would like to end his career in a Patriots uniform, though there is no certainty that will happen by any means.
“Everything has made it where I feel I want to stay here the rest of my career,” Judon said. “But if that’s not in the cards, that’s not in the cards. I felt like that when I was a rookie (in Baltimore). I felt like that my fifth year. But that wasn’t in the cards for me. I don’t get to choose that. I just get to tell you all how I feel.”
He feels like he wants to play in New England beyond this, his eighth NFL season. He also probably feels underpaid, as he should given his production, leadership and actions in New England as well as the way the “market” has grown for edge defenders as recently as this week.
Judon’ even saw friend and fellow 2021 free agent Trey Hendrickson get a one-year extension with the Bengals, adding to the four-year, $60 million deal he signed the same March that Judon landed in Foxborough.
Over the last two years both have notched consecutive Pro Bowl seasons, Judon with 28 sacks compared to 22 for Hendrickson.
“I actually know Trey personally and I’m excited for him,” Judon said. “I don’t think he’s had a bad year yet. So for him to get paid and for his organization to realize we want to keep this guy around here for a longer that’s good for him.”
It’s a game plan that Judon probably would like the see the Patriots take with him. One that’s worthy.
Even if he’s not willing to talk about it with the media while he eases his way into his work on the practice field of Foxborough this summer.