FOXBORO, Mass. — For better or worse, things might be coming to a head for the New England Patriots and their two defenders seeking new contracts.
Matthew Judon and Davon Godchaux both are entering contract years and have been open about the desire for new deals. And, with star D-tackle Christian Barmore potentially facing a lengthy absence due to blood clots, it was fair to wonder whether New England would be motivated to placate two of its most important defensive players.
Monday yielded news on both fronts, with one situation trending more positively than the other.
Matthew Judon a Distraction on Day 5 of Patriots Training Camp
Judon participated in the first four practices despite wanting a new contract. But Monday was a much different story.
He sat alone in street clothes for the start of practice. First, he was on a pile of stacked mats; then, he was on a trash can. While on said trash can, Judon had a brief conversation with Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, who covered his mouth with a clipboard. A frustrated-looking Judon then left the field and went back to the locker room.
Matt Judon arrived at #Patriots camp intent on participating as a sign of good faith while he and the team worked on a deal. They’ve had talks but it appears from this scene today Judon’s patience has worn thin. pic.twitter.com/DXNoeekKdo
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 29, 2024
He returned soon afterward, still in street clothes, and went straight to executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and director of player personnel Matt Groh. After leading an animated discussion, Judon left the field and didn’t return.
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It was a bizarre situation, one that likely wouldn’t have happened if Bill Belichick were still in charge. It also put added pressure on Mayo, who’s doing his best to keep the screws tightened in the early days of the Patriots’ post-Belichick era.
Judon is undeniably underpaid, and if he wants to sit out until he receives a new deal, that’s fine. But his behavior on Monday was a distraction and made it look as if he was acting out.
Is Davon Godchaux’s Contract on the Horizon?
It feels like news of a Godchaux contract could arrive at any minute.
The veteran nose tackle was a full participant on Monday. More importantly, he practiced in front of his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who watched practice from the Patriots’ friends and family tent. Early in practice, Rosenhaus was spotted speaking with Groh and Robyn Glaser, another prominent front office member.
Mayo, Rosenhaus, and Godchaux gathered for an extended conversation once practice ended, with Rosenhaus and Godchaux continuing to talk after Mayo left.
Look at Drew Rosenhaus having a chat with Davon Godchaux after practice @GreshFauriaWEEI @weei pic.twitter.com/jftOabaGPG
— Andy Gresh (@TheRealGresh) July 29, 2024
Do those events guarantee a new deal is on the way? No, but similar Rosenhaus visits during Belichick’s tenure often coincided with contract announcements. We’ll just have to wait and see whether the trend continues with Mayo in charge.
If nothing else, Godchaux’s willingness to practice in a full-contact practice without a guaranteed salary potentially indicates he believes a deal is close.
PFN Analysis: These Situations Need To Be Resolved Soon
Football should’ve been the focus on Monday. The Patriots were in pads for the first time, and some of their young players performed well — though Drake Maye wasn’t one of them.
Instead, the top storylines were the Judon sideshow and Rosenhaus speaking with some of the Patriots’ top power brokers in a public setting. It was weird and, again, a stark departure from the environment fostered under Belichick.
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Mayo’s adversity plate was full on Monday. His best player, Barmore, might be looking at a lost season. His franchise quarterback is struggling. One of his best pass rushers, Josh Uche, got kicked out of practice for fighting. Jabrill Peppers, who received a new contract last week, suffered an injury early in practice.
So, he had enough to worry about without Judon throwing a fit and Rosenhaus hanging out near dozens of reporters.
None of this is to say the Patriots should panic and pay Judon and Godchaux just to make the problems go away. But they need to resolve both situations soon so all of Mayo’s focus can be on the task at hand: improving his football team.