New England Patriots star pass-rusher Matthew Judon is back in the facility and back on the field with his teammates as the franchise’s mandatory minicamp gets underway, despite not having a new contract yet in hand.
![New England Patriots Star Breaks Silence on Contract Demands 1 Matthew Judon, New England Patriots](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Judon-1024x684.webp)
Judon, entering the final year of his contract, is seeking a new deal that will pay him more than the $6.5 million base salary he’s set to collect for the upcoming 2024 NFL season.
Appearing on WZLX’s The Rich Shertenlieb show, Judon addressed his current deal and his belief that it is a team-friendly pact.
“Maybe they didn’t know what I was gonna be in four years,” Judon said, via Patriots reporter Mike Giardi. “Maybe they knew exactly what I was gonna be, and it’s at a discount. That’s just how it happens.”
New England Patriots’ Matthew Judon Looking to Rebound, Cash in in 2024
![New England Patriots Star Breaks Silence on Contract Demands 2 Matthew Judon, New England Patriots](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/usa_today_19375330.5-1024x682.webp)
Judon posted just 13 total tackles with four sacks during a 2023 season that was derailed by a torn triceps which snapped his streak of four consecutive seasons being named to the Pro Bowl.
Looking to bounce back, Judon opened up about why he decided to attend mandatory minicamp despite not having the security of a long-term extension with the Patriots yet in place.
“Right now, I’m just going to get ready to play,” Judon said, via Patriots reporter Mike Reiss. “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. 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 ourselves in a position to where we can win the most games, or to be the most effective.
“So, that’s kind of what I’m really on right now. I ain’t worried about holding out, sitting out, or sitting in, kind of protesting. I’m just going to come out here and kind of play [inaduble]. Because last year, that stuff was trash. I ain’t really like that. I’m a football player. I don’t really want to get into the agency side. So that’s what I’m going to do – I’m going to come out here and play some football.”
By attending mandatory minicamp, Judon also removes any risk of being fined by the Patriots, while also making a gesture of good faith amid the ongoing negotiations.
![New England Patriots Star Breaks Silence on Contract Demands 3 Matthew Judon, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Judon.webp)