Patriots
While Judon has been back at practice, his contract situation reportedly isn’t being viewed as a “resolved” matter.
Matthew Judon’s contract situation with the Patriots seemed to have hit a boiling point on Monday, but the situation seems to have cooled since then.
The contract situation involving the Patriots’ star edge rusher has “simmered” in recent days, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported in his Sunday notes column. However, Reiss noted that the situation isn’t being viewed as a “resolved’ matter, citing sources close to the situation.
Judon has made it clear over the offseason that he wants his contract adjusted in some form as he’s in the final year of his current deal. He seemed to force the Patriots’ hand on Monday, attending practice but he wasn’t wearing pads. He also appeared to have an animated discussion with coach Jerod Mayo before leaving the practice field.
After missing practice on Tuesday, Judon has been back on the practice field over the last few days. He participated in each of the last three practices.
Mayo told reporters Saturday that Judon has “participated in every single drill,” though he wasn’t willing to share more information on the star’s contract situation.
“We’re moving past the Judon thing,” Mayo said. “We’re both in a good place. I think the team is in a good place and we’re pushing forward.”
Judon has a base salary of $6.5 million for the 2024 season while his cap hit is $14.68 million. At those numbers, Judon is lightly paid compared to the game’s premier edge rushers. The top 10 edge rushers in the NFL all have an average annual salary of at least $22 million.
As Judon continues to seek a bump in pay or an extension, he recently refuted a report that said he received a few offers to revive his contract.
“No they haven’t but it makes me look bad again,” Judon wrote in a social media post. “Don’t believe the lies.”
Judon hasn’t spoken with reporters since he’s returned to practice and Reiss noted that he’s kept a bit of a lower profile. This marks the second straight training camp that Judon had a contract dispute with the Patriots, holding in during the opening week of practices.
The situation was eventually resolved when the Patriots adjusted Judon’s contract for the 2023 season. His guaranteed money was bumped from $2 million to $14 million.
Judon’s situation is a bit more complex this season. He turns 32 later in August and suffered a lower bicep tear last season that caused him to miss the final 13 games. The Patriots also re-signed or extended several of their top players this offseason and in the opening weeks of training camp.
Judon had four sacks in four games before the season-ending injury last season and has 32 sacks over three seasons with the Patriots.
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