In the COVID era, NFL locker rooms are not open to reporters which means players are less accessible than in the past as only a few are brought to the podium on a given day.
This hasn't been the case for new Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon, who has spoken to the media every week, including after games -- both wins and losses.
Judon was asked why he's been so accessible on Wednesday.
“Honestly, I think y’all keep it fair,” Judon said to the 25ish media members in attendance. “Y’all report what y’all see. Y’all don’t really make stuff up. If it’s something unknown, y’all ask. If we don’t give y’all a straightforward answer, y’all kind of don’t just make stuff up. That’s what you want as a player-reporter relationship. So I think coming up here every week, before a game, after a game, no matter the outcome of the game and just being honest, and y’all telling an honest story, I think that’s what helps our relationship and actually, like, me wanting to come up here.
“Just (with) my role on the team, just coming to talk to you guys weekly. Obviously I’m not Coach (Bill) Belichick, but just giving how the players feel and stuff like that, that’s good. Especially when you guys are just calling it fair.”
The edge rusher said this hasn't always been the case in Baltimore or in college, but he's pleased with things this year.
“My personality is my personality and I really just don’t like people that lie,” Judon said. “But I haven’t had any problems with you guys, and so far, I love it. I love it.”