The New England Patriots are prepping to head into the first year without Bill Belichick as the team[s head coach in more than two decades.
Former Patriots linebacker and defensive standout Jerod Mayo is entering 2024 in his first year as a head coach in the NFL, with the task of revamping New England’s culture and getting the franchise back to the winning fans had become so accustomed to during the Belichick and Tom Brady era where they won five Super Bowls and missed the playoffs just three times from 2000-2019.
But since Brady left for the Buccaneers — won another Super Bowl and ultimately retired — the New England Patriots haven’t been the same.
Last season’s (4-13) finish was enough for Robert Kraft to finally push Belichick to resign and now the organization is starting from scratch for the first time in a long long time.
While the biggest question marks are on offense and if the Patriots selection of UNC QB Drake Maye with the third overall pick in April’s NFL Draft will prove to be the right decision, Mayo’s expertise is on the defensive side of the ball and that’s a unit expected to shine right away heading into 2024.
It’s clear the New England Patriots are overhauling the roster in an attempt to add more youth, but there are still key veterans that can play at a high level that could be pivotal for the Pats to have defensive success instantly under Mayo.
One of the biggest names that has been in the spotlight all offseason is Matthew Judon, the explosive pass rusher who is seeking a new contract.
The tension between the Patriots and the star pass-rusher, who wants a new contract, reached a new level Monday when Judon had a public dispute with Mayo at training camp. The four-time Pro Bowl selection responded by not showing up to Gillette Stadium on Tuesday at all.
The practice absence prompted the New England Patriots to extend a contract offer to the 31-year-old, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. But according to Judon himself, such an olive branch was not extended.
“No they haven’t but it makes me look bad again,” Judon posted to X on Wednesday afternoon. “Don’t believe the lies.”
Judon’s post mirrored similar social media activity from earlier in the offseason, when the veteran linebacker refuted reports from insiders and pleaded to not be painted as “the villain.” Judon opened training camp by insisting he doesn’t want to be traded out of New England. But at this point, it’s a move Eliot Wolf and company might have to at least consider.
Judon is coming off his least productive campaign in 2023 where he had just 13 tackles and four sacks before his season came to an abrupt end in Week 4 when he suffered a biceps injury against the Cowboys.
In 2022, Judon had an impressive 60 tackles and 15.5 sacks. In 2021, he had another 60 tackles and 12.5 sacks.
New England Patriots Reach Two-Year Contract Extension With Davon Godchaux
While Judon and the Patriots brass remain in a standoff, New England did lock down one of their defensive standouts to an extension on Wednesday.
Davon Godchaux and the Patriots have agreed to a two-year contract extension worth up to $21 million that includes $16.5 million guaranteed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday.
The news comes just five days after Godchaux sounded off on his contract situation and told reporters he was being undervalued on his current deal with the New England Patriots.
“It’s frustrating playing out here with no guaranteed money,” Godchaux said last Friday. “… I’ve been consistent playing the run throughout my eight years in the league and I feel like I’m still in my prime, so I feel like I wanna be rewarded like that also. So yeah, it’s frustrating.”
Now, the 29-year-old defensive tackle has financial security for the next two seasons, while the New England Patriots have locked up a key piece of their defensive line who could see more action if Christian Barmore is forced to miss time after being diagnosed with blood clots.
