Matthew Judon and the Patriots are reportedly moving in the right direction to completing a new contract. Judon was a full participant in practice on Friday. On Saturday, Patriots reporter Andrew Callahan reported that the linebacker participated in an 11-on-11 padded drill for the first time this training camp. Judon was seen having a heated exchange with head coach Jerod Mayo and other front office members during Monday’s practice because of a contract dispute.
Judon is in the final year of his contract this season and is currently going to make a base salary of $6.5 million. The four-time Pro Bowler turns 32 on August 15. He played just four games last year due to a torn bicep injury that ended his season. Judon is entering his fourth season with the Patriots after previously being with the Ravens for five seasons.
The Wait To Pay Matthew Judon
The Patriots might be a little hesitant to give Judon a new deal after that season-ending bicep injury he suffered last season. The fact that he is over 30 years old might have something to do with it as well. Historically, the Patriots have been known to be pretty stingy with re-signing players.
In 2016, Jamie Collins wanted a bigger contract that was described as “Von Miller money” and was traded shortly after that. Additionally, Tom Brady consistently took pay cuts so that the team could sign other talented players and be competitive. That caught up to the Patriots when Brady had had enough and felt like he wasn’t getting paid what he was worth and left for Tampa Bay in 2020.
It doesn’t seem like that situation will happen with Matthew Judon but it has happened with other Patriots stars in the past.
Another Patriots Defensive Player Gets Paid
Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux recently signed a two-year contract extension worth up to $21 million with $16.5 million guaranteed. It was a bit of a surprising move that the Patriots signed Godchaux before Judon. The defensive tackle ranked 7th in total tackles last season with 56 and 10th in solo tackles with 24. Judon has been the Patriots‘ best defensive player since he joined the team in 2o21, leading the team in sacks and tackles for loss in 2022 and 2021.
Godchaux played a week in training camp without a new deal. Judon might have to do the same thing. Patience and showing that he can cooperate and play ball will likely get him a new contract if it gets Godchaux an extension. Funnily enough, Godchaux was also open about being unhappy with his current contract. He said last Friday,
“It’s frustrating playing out here with no guaranteed money.”
So airing your grievances in public to reporters can actually get you a new contract. Jerod Mayo said that he had a healthy conversation with Judon about his contract situation. With Judon being back at practice, it seems like things are heading in the right direction for the 32-year-old linebacker.
Judon’s New Contract Predictions
NBC Sports Boston Patriots Insider Tom Curran said on the Patriots Talk podcast that he predicts the team will sign Matthew Judon to a new contract on August 11. Some other people on the podcast predicted sooner and later dates than that but it all seems like a deal will get done before the season starts.
When the Patriots have a player who has recorded 32 sacks in 38 games during his time in New England, that’s a player they would want to keep around. It’s clear that the Pats’ defensive star was having problems with team management earlier in training camp but the situation seems to have been rectified. Judon is a crucial part of this defense so they do not want to lose him.
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