New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo described his recent discussion with disgruntled outside linebacker Matthew Judon as a “great meeting,” and confirmed that they are “moving forward,” with Judon expected to join practice on Thursday.
Mayo, reflecting on his own experiences as a player, acknowledged the challenges of contract negotiations but chose not to comment on whether the team had taken any disciplinary action against Judon in response to his recent behavior.
“I have a strong relationship with Matthew and with all the players,” Mayo said. “We’re moving forward.”
As a first-year head coach, Mayo emphasized his approach of keeping internal matters within the team, but he did confirm that his conversation with Judon was constructive.
“It was good and healthy. I always encourage players to talk with me or [executive vice president of player personnel] Eliot [Wolf],” Mayo noted. “Those discussions are meant to stay within those walls.”
Judon, who is set to earn a base salary of $6.5 million in the last year of his four-year, $56 million contract signed in March 2021, expressed dissatisfaction with the contract’s reflection of his worth last week. This sentiment is complicated by his missed 13 games last season due to a torn biceps and his upcoming 32nd birthday in August.
The situation seemed to escalate on Monday when Judon was not in uniform for the Patriots’ first full-pads practice of training camp. He was seen sitting on a flipped trash barrel while his teammates practiced, and after Mayo approached him, Judon appeared to have an animated conversation before leaving the field.
Judon also had an impassioned discussion with Wolf and director of player personnel Matt Groh in front of reporters and fans. Although Judon was absent from the team on Tuesday, it was unclear whether his absence was self-imposed or directed by the team. The Patriots had a scheduled day off on Wednesday.
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