Deviating from their Bill Belichick-era ways with a spree of lucrative extensions this offseason, the Patriots have created a new problem of sorts. By rewarding a host of talent since Eliot Wolf took over as the new front office boss, the contract-year players who have not been paid are making some noise.
Both Matt Judon and Davon Godchaux are on track for free agency in 2025. As payments have gone to Christian Barmore, Michael Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, Rhamondre Stevenson, Hunter Henry and now Jabrill Peppers, the Pats’ front-seven pieces are not exactly happy campers upon reporting. Rarely known for big spending under Belichick, the Pats are among this year’s top-10 spenders in terms of cash.
[RELATED: Peppers Becomes Latest Pats Extension Recipient]
Judon, who did not participate fully during last year’s training camp before seeing his contract adjusted, said (via the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed) he would play on his current contract but would prefer not to. Understandably, the accomplished edge rusher said (via NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran) the Pats’ slew of contracts handed out has made him a bit envious. Though, Judon noted he wants to stay in New England.
A report earlier this month indicated the Patriots and Judon were not close on a new deal. Going into his fourth season with the team, Judon is attached to a $6.5MM base salary — as part of 2023’s two-year, $22.5MM reworking — and a $14.7MM cap number. For his part, Jerod Mayo said both he and Wolf want Judon and DT Davon Godchaux in place beyond 2024. Though, the new Pats HC stopped short of guaranteeing deals are coming.
“Look, the relationship is still good, at least from my perspective,” Mayo said, via MassLive.com’s Karen Guregian. “Those are valuable pieces of this organization, and they’ve done a lot for us. Hopefully, we can get something done, and those guys are here. I want them here. Eliot wants them here. The team wants them here. There is a business aspect to everything, though.”
Given the change atop the front office and the 2023 team having gone 4-13, the Patriots’ roster-retention effort has been a bit strange. And New England will eventually put a stop to the dollars going out to in-house players, leaving some without a chair when the music stops. It is certainly possible Judon, who will turn 32 next month after missing most of last season due to injury, will be one of the players not paid this year. Godchaux, 29, has been a reliable defender for the Pats; the veteran D-tackle has never missed a game in three seasons with the team, operating as a starter throughout that span.
The Pats already gave Godchaux a pay bump in 2022, reaching an extension with the ex-Dolphins DT. He is currently on a two-year, $20.8MM deal. Godchaux, 29, did not participate at Patriots minicamp. That said, the run-stuffing D-lineman wants to stay with the Pats. No guarantees remain on Godchaux’s deal, and while he labeled that “frustrating” (via Curran), his $7.15MM salary will lock in just before Week 1 as a vested veteran.
Godchaux pointed to multiple recent contracts as comps for his own value, referencing the Colts’ latest Grover Stewart accord (three years, $39MM) and the Browns’ 2023 Dalvin Tomlinson terms (four years, $57MM) when discussing his situation. Pro Football Focus has not been as bullish on Godchaux, ranking him outside the top 90 among interior D-linemen over the past two seasons.
“The run-player market has gone up too, not just the pass-rush market,” Godchaux said, via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss. “I have no doubt the Patriots and Drew [Rosenhaus] will get a deal done. If not, it’s a business. I’m not going to be sad and angry. Still love them but I just have to do what’s best for me.”
This is getting ridiculous. How much money do you need? You’re only playing a game!
Godchaux is terrible, would be dumb to extend him. Wolf’s strategy just seems to be extend all of Belichicks players.
Judon has some downside with age regarding him wanting a new deal. But boy, if they could swing a trade, he’d be great
on the other side from Sweat for the Bears.
I would be shopping Judon for a pick next year. He is not gonna make the Pats a contender thus season so may as well leverage him for futures. Godchaux isn’t good enough to be holding out fir more $$$….either he plays or he can just donate his pay towards fines.
Judon would be a plus signing, but Godchaux isn’t the same player that he was in his first year innNE, or in his early years in Miami. They both seem like good locker room presences; in Judon’s case, he’s probably the most visible leader to those outside the team. Keeping him around as a productive leader in a new regime isn’t a bad idea. If someone offers a useful pick for him, a trade wouldn’t be bad, but keeping leaders in a rebuilding team is more valuable than most people realize. In that regard, I understand the reluctance to trade him.
I hate to say this about a player that I once thought was underrated, but Godchaux doesn’t have much leverage. He’s a veteran leader (lower in profile than Judon) and has a good attitude, but his play has not been worth what he’s comparing himself to contract-wise. If that’s just a negotiating tactic, so be it, but he hasn’t been good at all lately.