After a heated conversation with Patriots coach Jerod Mayo a week ago, star pass rusher Matthew Judon finally explained his side of the story.
Judon, who briefly left the practice field after the trade with Mayospoke to reporters during training camp for the first time since the conversation was caught on camera.
“We had a conversation. I didn’t want to be a distraction to the team, so I went in,” Judon told reporters. “I wasn’t participating in those drills that day. I went in and then I got a message, so I went back in and talked to the general manager, our general manager. Then I went back in. I’m sorry, I’m emotional. I talk with my hands.”
Judon had made it clear earlier in camp that he wasn’t happy with his contract and wanted it restructured. His current deal has one year remaining with a cap hit of $14,675,848, according to Spotrac. That’s a far cry from what many of the league’s pass rushers make. Judon is a four-time Pro Bowler who recorded 12.5 sacks in 2021 and 15.5 in 2022, his first two years in New England.
He played just four games in 2023 before a torn biceps shortened his season.
It was unclear if his conversation with Mayo was about his contract. However, Judon has returned to training and appears ready to continue participating in camp.
