Matthew Judon Won't Throw 'Tantrums,' Not Holding Out for New Patriots Contract

It doesn't seem like New England Patriots pass-rusher Matthew Judon will be engaging in another contract dispute after his "hold-in" at training camp last summer.

Judon joined The Rich Shertenlieb Show on Tuesday and shot down the idea of using that technique to land a better contract (h/t Michael Hurley of WZLX).

"Right now, I'm just gonna get ready to play," he said. "And you know, you kind of don't—you kind of keep throwing tantrums, tantrums, tantrums, and then you don't come out there and do what you're supposed to do? It kind of gets old real fast, you know. I ain't really trying to do that.

"I'm just trying to come out here and play football, get ready for this upcoming season, and put our defense and ourself in a position to where we can win the most games or be the most effective. So that's what I'm really on right now. I ain't worried about holding out, sitting out … kind of protesting. … Because that, last year, that stuff was trash. I ain't really like that. Like I'm a football player, I don't want to get into the agency side. So I'm gonna come out here and play some football."

Judon is entering the final season of his contract and is set to make $6.5 million in base salary.

That is somewhat of a bargain for New England, although he was limited to just four games last season because of injury and isn't exactly in the best negotiating position as a result with his 32nd birthday looming in August.

Last season broke his streak of four consecutive Pro Bowls, as his health prevented him from building on a dominant 2022 campaign that saw him post 60 tackles, 15.5 sacks, three passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

While he will be 33 years old before the 2025 campaign, he could still line himself up for one more significant contract if he replicates those 2022 numbers during the upcoming season.

And it seems like he is maximizing his practice time ahead of what will be an important individual season.