Patriots LB coach sheds light on Matthew Judon’s performance

Seeing Matthew Judon in an uncertain contract situation is nothing new for Patriots outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins.

Between stints with the Ravens and Patriots, this is Wilkins’ third camp coaching Judon heading into a contract year.

The Ravens franchise tagged Judon in 2020, and let him walk away to the Patriots in 2021. Judon is the final year of his Patriots contract and has been outspoken about his desire to renegotiate for more money.

Wilkins said he hasn’t had a problem with the way Judon has handled his business in such situations because his performance has been consistent.

“All three of those years he attacks it with such professionalism,” Wilkins said. “Really when you look back to 2019, he went out and had a Pro Bowl year, 2020 had a Pro Bowl year. That’s the expectation: We go and compartmentalize the business stuff and have a Pro Bowl year. That’s what he does and what we’ve been able to do together.”

Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington said he’s also seeing consistency from Judon during this camp.

“He’s been the same for us,” Covington said. “I always stay out of all those conversations, and for us and the defensive staff he’s been Judon. He’s been Matt Judon. He’s been great in the classroom, great for us on the practice field.”

Judon’s frustrations spilled over earlier in the training camp — at one point he ended up leaving practice after a chat with Jerod Mayo. Judon later returned to the field to have an animated discussion with Patriots executives.

Covington acknowledged that particular behavior wasn’t a good look for Judon but added that there haven’t been any other issues from his perspective.

“I look at it like this: We all have bad days, right? If I asked any of you guys you would raise your hands for having a bad day,” Covington said. “Unfortunately for him, his bad day would be on camera just like our bad days would be behind (closed) doors. So, he had a bad day and that was it. Everybody got to see it.”

“Other than that, the guy has been who he has been since we signed him a couple of years ago,” Covington added. “I have nothing but respect and love for Judon and what he can and will do for this team.”

Judon also missed practice the day after he left early for an undisclosed reason, but he has been participating since then.

Wilkins said Judon’s performance, on and off the field, has remained a valuable piece of the Patriots’ puzzle.

“I think great players compartmentalize the business part of the game with the football part,” Wilkins said. “He loves football. He loves his teammates. You’re able to say OK put that in a bucket that’s a separate thing, but when it’s time to work he’s working.”

“When it’s time to lead, he’s leading and really in the meeting rooms, that’s what’s so special is his expertise,” Wilkins added. “He’s played in different systems, had to do different things and really he can explain to the players as well as any coach what the demands and what the standards are in that room so it really is like having another coach in there.”