New England Patriots star edge rusher Matthew Judon reported to training camp last week, voicing his dissatisfaction with his current contract.
Despite his displeasure, Judon initially committed to participating in practice and was focused on not becoming a distraction.
However, recent events suggest a shift in his stance. During the Patriots’ first padded practice, Judon was conspicuously absent from the field.
Although he arrived early, as usual, he spent the special teams session on the sidelines. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo engaged in a heated conversation with Judon before he walked off.
NBC Sports’ Phil Perry reported that Judon remained on the sidelines in sweatpants and a sweatshirt, mingling with fans instead of practicing.
Later, he was seen having a spirited discussion with Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and director of player personnel Matt Groh.
Following this exchange, Judon left the field and did not return.
This incident marks a significant development in the ongoing contract dispute between Judon and the Patriots. It contrasts with Judon’s previous stance of not holding out from practice despite wanting a new deal.
“I signed the deal; there’s my signature on it, so I’ve got to play on it,” Judon said earlier. “Would I like to? No. Do I think that’s my value? No. But again, that’s not up to me.”
Judon’s absence from practice highlights his frustration over his current contract.
He previously staged a similar holdout last summer, which resulted in a revised deal for the 2023 season.
Judon is set to earn a base salary of $6.5 million this season, plus $1 million in incentives, significantly below market value for a player of his caliber.
Judon’s situation is complicated further by his recent return from a bicep injury that limited him to just four games last season, in which he recorded 13 tackles and four sacks.
However, his impressive performance in his first two seasons with the Patriots, totaling 28 sacks, strengthens his case for a higher salary if he remains healthy.
The Patriots now face a challenging decision on how to address Judon’s contract demands.
As training camp progresses, all eyes will be on whether Judon takes a similar approach to last year’s holdout or if the team will find a resolution to keep their star defender satisfied.
Speculation is building that New England may seek to trade Judon before he becomes an even bigger headache.
What do you think will end up happening???