Patriots’ Jerod Mayo Explains Encounter With Matthew Judon

Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo didn’t seem too worried about Matthew Judon after the interaction with his star player went viral this week.

Judon and Mayo had an apparent disagreement for all to see during Monday’s training camp practice amid the star pass rusher’s contract standoff. Tensions seemed to continue when Judon was absent from Tuesday’s practice and he reportedly wasn’t at the team facility. The 31-year-old also called out New England when a report stated a contract had been offered to him; his teammate Davon Godchaux reportedly agreed to a contract extension the same day.

Despite a seemingly messy situation, Mayo believes things are good with the Patriots.

“I know a lot of questions (Thursday) will be about Judon and things like that, but just so guys know my philosophy and our philosophy is to keep things internal as much as possible,” Mayo told reporters, per the Patriots. “Had a great meeting with Judon and we’re all moving forward. I remember as a player it’s always a difficult time. It’s always a difficult time when you go through contract negotiations and things like that. And in saying that, for the rest of the team, we’re pushing forward. Fully expect Matthew to be out here today and participate.”

Judon enters this season in the final year of his contract, with a base salary of $6.5 million. The veteran pass rusher said last week he’d play no matter his contract status, but that appears to have changed. However, Mayo doesn’t expect tensions to continue to boil over.

“It was good. It was healthy,” Mayo said of his conversation with Judon. “I always encourage those guys to come in and speak with me or speak with Eliot (Wolf). That’s what it is, and those things should happen inside those walls.”

Judon was present at practice and appeared ready for another day of Patriots training camp.