JULY 30: After not taking part in Monday’s practice, Judon is absent altogether from New England’s Tuesday session, ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes. It will be interesting to see if his recent conversations with the organization’s decision-makers, coupled with his hold-in effort, produces traction on the negotiation front. In the meantime, it will be surprising if Judon suits up for practices in at least the immediate future.
JULY 29: Matt Judon is still attached to an expiring contract, and the veteran pass rusher isn’t practicing with the Patriots as he pushes for a revised deal. Judon didn’t participate during New England’s first padded practice today, and Karen Guregian writes that the sack artist appears to be in the midst “of a hold-in.”
[RELATED: Latest On Patriots’ Plans With Matt Judon]
That apparent tactic was also accompanied by some theatrics. Guregian passes along a scene from Monday’s practice when Judon and head coach Jerod Mayo “had a lengthy conversation.” The player eventually left the practice field (“by the looks of it, with Mayo’s prompting,” per Guregian), before returning a short time later. This time, Judon was talking with executive VP of player personnel Eliot Wolf and director of player personnel Matt Groh, and the player’s conversation was much more animated.
It’s not too hard to surmise what Judon was discussing with team brass. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes that the pass rusher’s patience appears to have “worn thin,” while ESPN’s Mike Reiss writes that the sideline conversations “came close to overshadowing the action on the field.”
This is a sudden turn from Judon. While the player has been very public about his desire for a revamped contract, the talks haven’t seemed to be all that contentious. Judon followed a similar path last year, refusing to fully participate in training camp until his contract was adjusted. However, with Bill Belichick no longer running the show, it’s uncertain if Judon’s hold-in will once again be successful. Interestingly, Judon previously stated during a radio appearance that he didn’t want to be a vocal distraction during training camp.
“You kind of keep throwing tantrums, tantrums, tantrums — and then you don’t come out there and do what you’re supposed to do — it kind of gets old real fast. I ain’t really trying to do that,” Judon said (via Reiss). “I ain’t worried about holding out, sitting out, or sitting in, kind of protesting. I’m just going to come out here and kind of play, because last year, that stuff was trash. I ain’t really like that.”
For what it’s worth, Judon has said he would play on his current contract but would prefer not to. The veteran is set to earn $7.5MM in the final season of his deal, and while most pundits assume the Patriots are reluctant to offer a long-term extension, there’s some belief that the sides could compromise on a 2024 pay raise. A report earlier this month indicated the Patriots and Judon were not close on a new deal.
They should try to get something for him, Pats are in no position to win.
He won’t go anywhere unless another team wants to give him a raise.
There are teams that will be willing to extend him, the ones that feel close to winning it all.
Well, this is a sudden change. Judon has value as a veteran locker room leader on a rebuilding team, but if he is now disgruntled, then he’ll be the distraction that he wanted to avoid being. If another team wants him, this development makes holding to Judon and letting him mentor the young players much less valuable.
Don’t worry they signed the safety and the RB instead of the key member of their defense lol.
Judon isn’t the future…
Just send him back to the Ravens or pay him like why yall wasting the man’s time.
Trade him asap
My comment was removed, but it was the first one here and most accurate.
No, your comment was idiotic and deserved to be removed
No, it was correct.