Matthew Judon Can Speak Freely About His Contract

By Steve Atkinson

The Patriots for the last two decades were quiet about contract talk. Belichick wouldn’t even come close to talking about a player’s contract. We’d get the usual “we’ll do what’s best for the team” line. If a player ever talked about his contract to the media Belichick would rip him privately behind closed doors and make an example out of that player. Belichick never let the players be in control of their contracts. Belichick was in control not the player. Now, with Mayo and Wolf in charge players are able to speak more freely about how they really feel.

Matthew Judon Doesn’t Like The Status Of His Contract

First up is Matthew Judon who left training camp in the first padded practice on Monday and then wasn’t at practice or the facility on Tuesday. Judon spoke freely last week about his contract. Over the past two decades, the New England Patriots have maintained a policy of keeping contract negotiations quiet. Coach Belichick rarely discussed players’ contracts, usually saying, “we’ll do what’s best for the team.” If a player spoke to the media about their contract, Belichick would reprimand them privately and set an example. Belichick always maintained control over contracts, not allowing the players to dictate terms.

Mayo and Wolf Have A Situation With Judon

However, with Mayo and Wolf now in charge, players are feeling more freedom to express their thoughts. The first player to take advantage of this newfound freedom is Matthew Judon, who left training camp during the first padded practice and was absent from practice and the facility the following day. Judon had openly discussed his contract the previous week.

I’ll pay myself a lot of money and stay around here for a long time, but it’s not up to me. You’ve got to ask those guys that are making those decisions,” he said. “They’re trying to do what’s best for the team and understandably so. They’re trying to put us in the right spot to win games and leverage everybody’s contract in the right situation to make sure the salary cap is right so where if we get in a tough spot later in the year, we can sign player.”

Judon’s answer when asked if his contract is worth playing on.

I mean, I’ve got to, honestly. I signed the deal. My signature’s on it, so I’ve got to play on it,” he said. “Would I like to? No. Do I think that’s my value? No. But again, that’s not up to me.”

During the first padded practice on Monday, Head Coach Jerod Mayo walked over to Judon who was sitting down. It got to the point where Judon left the field. Judon would come back to the field ten minutes later and have an animated conversation with Eliot Wolf and Matt Groh. On Tuesday, Judon wasn’t spotted at practice. Is a deal getting done, or is he on his way out?

If a deal gets done, that means the players have the power and can have disagreements with coaches and management. Another player could do the same thing. It’s one thing to express displeasure at a press conference or whatever, but it’s another to make it a bad look in practice in front of the media and fans.

Judon sees other players getting paid and he wants his share too.

“I love football. I don’t love the business of football,” Judon said. “Like I said, I don’t want to be the villain. I don’t want to be the bad guy. But it’s like, shoot bro, help me out. We got the most cap in the league right now bro. And then with that, they don’t even get the money. So what the hell are y’all doing with it? … Those guys have a tough decision. It’s hard for them. It’s hard to know who to give the money to … where, how much. There’s a lot of stuff that goes along with that.”

The Patriots do have have the money to spend on players this off-season. Belichick would’ve traded Judon before it even go to this point as it would be a distraction to the team.