The New England Patriots were back on the practice fields in the shadows of Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, as the team began their first training camp session of the year.
Everyone who is on the active roster was present for the practice, including edge rusher Matthew Judon, who has been vocal about his contract situation throughout the offseason.
After the session, Judon spoke with reporters and was asked about his deal.
"Y'all be knowing before me," Judon said. "But, honestly, it's tough going into the last year of the deal. You kinda look at everybody around the league and in the building, and you see them getting deals done and worked out, and it's tough to not be jealous or envious or something like that. But, honestly, I gotta focus on myself. I'm happy for those guys.
"As much as everybody wanna see me stay around here for a long time, it's really not up to me. I'd pay myself a lot of money and just stay around here for a long time -- but it's not up to me. So, you gotta ask those guys that's making those decisions. And they're trying to do what's best for the team, rightfully so and understandably. They're trying to put us in the right spot to win games, and leverage everybody's contract and the right situation, make sure the salary cap is right. So, where, if we get into a tough spot later in the year, we can sign players and whatnot. But it's not up to me, I'd pay myself a lot of money and then just be cool with it."
Judon has recorded 62 quarterback hits and 32 sacks in his 38 games for New England over the last three years. Had it not been for a season-ending biceps injury in 2023, he might've made his fifth straight Pro Bowl.
While he's not happy with his contract, Judon made it clear that he doesn't want to go elsewhere.
"Do I want to be traded," Judon asked himself. "Hell no. I feel like when you’re traded it’s kinda like you don’t got no say in it. They just kinda tell you, ‘Hey bro, you leavin’. I don’t think nobody wants to be traded, honestly... I don’t run my Twitter, bro."
Earlier in the offseason, Judon's Twitter/X account responded to a fan saying that the Patriots should pay him. The account also said to "not let them make (him) the villain" about two weeks ago.
It's clear the veteran wants to be in New England and wants to be paid fairly, in his mind. Whether that happens or not is up to Eliot Wolf and company.
