Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon was not happy about Gresh & Fauria’s criticism of him earlier this week and took to social media Tuesday night to let them and everyone else know it.
Quote-posting a video of the show’s segment about him from Monday, Judon wrote the following on X (formerly known as Twitter): “I said when was [sic] aren’t in pads but besides me staying hours on hours to sign and throw the ball around with the fan how about yall come talk to me. And this me tweeting. You [expletives] just sit down and talk.”
Andy Gresh and Christian Fauria responded on Wednesday, doubling down on what they believe is fair criticism while also pointing out that they aren’t allowed to simply go talk to Judon whenever they want when they’re broadcasting from training camp. Listen to the full segment above.
“Basically, our message was, own it, dude. Own it,” Gresh said. “Wasn't cool that he brushed aside the social media question considering what he put on the Instagram story. Incredibly legitimate. 'We're not gonna talk about no social media.' But I’ll clap at the media on social media. You know what I mean? Like, this is a part of the headache that has become Matthew Judon.”
Fauria pushed back on Judon claiming that his interactions with fans changes based on whether or not the Patriots are practicing in pads that day. Early in camp, Judon was taking the field early to sign autographs and throw a football around with fans, but that stopped as he began to sit out practices with his contract dispute dragging on.
“So, usually you come out and you throw the football. You've been going through the Universal backlot now,” Fauria said. “What changed? ‘Well, nothing's changed. Usually I do that when we're in full pads.’ OK. That day he spoke, he was in full pads. So if he usually does it when he's in full pads, what about the other times when you weren't in pads at all? You were going out there. It's obvious he was upset and he was holding a grudge. That's the way I view it.”
“This is what I would say to Matthew Judon,” Gresh added. “Whether you're in pads or not, why does that affect how you interact with the fans and the timing of when you come out to do so?”
Ultimately, Gresh believes that all of Judon’s recent antics are simply his way to cope with contract negotiations not going the way he wants, and him not getting the support that he wants.
“Matt Judon is upset that people are not rallying around him,” Gresh said. “The fans are not circling around screaming, ‘By God, we need Judon.’ There's no riots in the streets. I hate to say this to Matthew Judon, but you're not Willie McGinest. You’re not. Willie McGinest was the voice of the defense, was respected, was a badass. … That guy's beloved at defensive end. Like I'm sorry to say, Matt Judon, you're not a beloved figure here to where people and fans are going to scream and bend over backwards that you have to be on this roster.”
Gresh & Fauria left the door open for Judon to sit down with them or call in to the show any time.