Patriots Coordinator Offers Unique Perspective On Matthew Judon Amid Contract Dispute

Despite not receiving a contract extension he publicly covets, Matthew Judon and the Patrots moved on since the star pass rusher’s viral interaction with Jerod Mayo.

The New England head coach on July 29 confronted Judon during practice amid his contract dispute with the front office. The 31-year-old’s verbal encounter with Mayo ended with him storming off the practice field.

Mayo and Judon revealed they had a “healthy” conversation after the incident, and the veteran linebacker participated in practice since then as he waits out his contract situation. That positive attitude was felt by the defensive coaching staff.

“He’s been the same for us. For us and the defensive staff, he’s been Judon,” defensive coordinator Demarcus Covington told reporters. “He’s been Matt Judon. He’s been great in the classroom. He’s been great for us in the practice. And I look at it like this, we all have bad days, right? If I asked anyone of you guys, all of you would raise your hand and say you had a bad day. Unfortunately for him, his bad day was on camera, just like our bad day would be behind doors. He had a bad day, and then that was it. Everybody got to see it, and other than that, the guy’s been who he’s been since we signed him a couple years ago. I have nothing but respect and love for Judon and what he can do and will do for this team.”

Judon remained outspoken this month, but he’s mostly kept his heated interactions on social media with members of Boston media or Patriots fans who voiced their lack of support for him due to his handling of his contract situation.

It’s unknown how close New England is to restructuring Judon’s contract — if at all. But it does sound like the Pro Bowler still has the trust of the coaching staff as long as he is in the building.