Matthew Judon Denies Rumor Patriots Offered New Contract amid Practice Absences

Matthew Judon's recent absence from training camp practice has put some pressure on the New England Patriots to get a new contract done for the star linebacker.

While The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported Wednesday that the Patriots made a new contract offer to Judon amid his practice absence, the linebacker denied the rumor on X. Russini later clarified that Judon "was offered a few revised contracts" before camp started.

Judon's approach has been interesting, to say the least. Leading up to the start of training camp, he made it known he wasn't happy with his contract but didn't indicate a hold-in or holdout was coming.

Judon said when asked about his contract on July 24:

"My signature's on it, so I got to play on it. Do I think that's my value? No. But, again, that's not up to me. I hope I can continue to play here and be a catalyst to one of the best defenses in the league. If that's not the case, that's not the case. It's hard not to be jealous or envious. But honestly, I've got to focus on myself. As much as everyone would like me to stay around here for a long time, it's not up to me. I would pay myself a lot of money and be cool with it."

Judon participated in the first four practices without pads, but things changed when the team went to a full-padded practice starting on Monday.

ESPN's Mike Reiss noted Judon wasn't at practice on Tuesday, with multiple Patriots players saying they didn't see him at the facility. That came after he didn't practice on Monday, but was with the team.

According to Reiss, Judon and Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo had a conversation at one point during Monday's practice that resulted in the veteran pass-rusher walking off the field when Mayo said something in what "appeared to be animated fashion" to him.

Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and director of player personnel Matt Groh also spoke to Judon, per Reiss.

All of this has happened in the wake of Judon talking about the business side of football during an appearance on the Shut Up Marc podcast. He said on the show that he doesn't want to be the villain, but noted the Patriots "got the most cap [space] in the league right now" to give him a raise if they wanted to.

Judon's 2023 season ended after four games when he suffered a torn bicep tendon in a 38-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 1.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Judon's 43.5 sacks from 2019 to '22 were tied with Aaron Donald for the fourth-most in the NFL during that span.

Judon is entering the final season of a four-year, $54.5 million he signed with the Patriots as a free agent in March 2021. He has a $6.5 million base salary this season.