FOXBORO – Matthew Judon’s press conference on Monday started as a joke.
Judon stepped to the microphone after Monday’s practice with linebacker Jahlani Tavai by his side. The bit was that we would ask questions to Judon, he would whisper answers into Tavai’s ear, and then Tavai would spit out Judon’s answer.
But the outside linebacker is mighty serious about wanting a new contract with the Patriots.
When Judon’s answer, through Tavai, on whether there were any updates to his contract situation was “no comment,” the bit was played out, and Judon was reeled back in to give his own answers.
Judon, who’s on the final year of his contract and is due just $6.5 million in base salary, knows he has to play this season, whether the Patriots elect to appease him or not.
“I gotta play. I didn’t say nothing about practice. I gotta go out there and play. I gotta play the game,” Judon said Monday. “I gotta do what I’m contracted, obligated to do so I don’t lose no money.”
The 31-year-old defender did not practice Monday or Tuesday last week. On Monday, he was present in sweats and a baseball cap, and had a lengthy conversation with head coach Jerod Mayo while sitting on practice mats before leaving the field. He then returned, and had another conversation with director of player personnel Matt Groh and executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf before departing again. He wasn’t spotted at all Tuesday before the Patriots’ off-day. He’s been a full participant since Thursday and addressed last week’s scene with reporters for the first time Monday.
“We had a conversation. I didn’t want to be a distraction to the team, so I went inside,” Judon said. “I wasn’t participating in none of those drills that day. So, I went inside. Then I got a message, so I came back to talk to the GM, our GMs, then I went back inside. Sorry I’m animated and I talk with my hands. I’m going to start talking like this (arm by the side) and stop being so animated.”
As for why Judon didn’t practice last Monday and Tuesday but has since returned, the four-time Pro Bowler only said, “I had something going on with me.”
Judon did feel like the talk he had with Mayo was productive.
“I feel like that’s every conversation,” Judon said. “Regardless of the emotions involved, you try to get to an understanding, and I think just because we don’t agree doesn’t mean we don’t understand each other’s side.”
Judon ultimately believes agreeing to an amended contract is not up to him, and that it’s solely the Patriots’ decision whether or not to pay him or extend him.
“You gotta talk to them, man,” Judon said. “Like I said before, I would pay myself, and we would never talk about it. It’s not up to me. …
“I told y’all I want to stay here for the rest of, the remainder of my career. So, obviously that would equal more (money). I only got one year left, so with more years would come more money. That’s usually how contracts work. It’s not up to me, y’all. They come out here every day. You just don’t ask them questions.”
Of course, Judon and his agent, Damarius Bilbo, must agree to any revised deal offered by the Patriots.
The pass-rusher recently said on the “Shut Up Marc Podcast” that he proposed a contract to the Patriots. He was asked what that proposal looked like but said it was on the notes app on his phone, which he wasn’t carrying during practice.
Judon also went through a contract dispute last summer. The Patriots finally agreed to give him a signing bonus that was made up of his 2023 salary plus $3 million borrowed from his 2024 salary. There isn’t a current player’s contract that he’s specifically asking the Patriots to match.
“Nah, we have a market that’s set by the highest guy, then everyone falls in line until the next person’s up to break that contract,” Judon said. “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).”
Judon’s verified X account (@man_dammn), which he has said he does not run, is notorious for making headlines during his contract disputes. He tweeted, “No they haven’t but it makes me look bad again. Don’t believe the lies” last Wednesday when it was reported that the Patriots had offered him a new contract. The report, from The Athletic, was then amended to say that the Patriots offered Judon multiple revised contracts before training camp.
“We’re not going to talk about no social media,” Judon said.
Judon cited his faith when asked if he’s in a good headspace with his contract dispute looming over the first weeks of training camp.
“Brah, I told y’all, this football and football business are two different things. I love playing football. I love my teammates. I don’t like the business of football,” Judon said. “As long as I’m pointing to my lord and savior Jesus Christ, my mental space is untouched. I can go somewhere to where He loves me, I love Him, and I can praise Him with wherever I’m at in life. Whether that’s mentally, emotionally, physically or in business. That has nothing to do with the man that I am.”
This was the second time Judon has spoken to reporters since training camp began. He said early in camp that he did not want to be traded and that he would play on his current deal. He said back in June on WZLX that he did not plan to hold-in this summer.
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