Matthew Judon and Davon Godchaux report back to Patriots camp

Patriots

Patriots Coach Jerod Mayo said Tuesday that each one Patriots players have reported to training camp, including two veteran defenders who’ve expressed dissatisfaction with their current contracts.

Both linebackers Matthew Judon and defensive players Of which Godchaux are entering the ultimate 12 months of their respective contracts and are on the lookout for negotiations.

“Look, the relationship is still good, at least from my perspective,” Mayo said. “I know their teammates definitely respect them. They are valuable parts of this organization and they have done a lot for us. Hopefully we can get something done and those guys are here. I want them here, Eliot [Wolf] wants her here, the team wants her here. But there is a business aspect to everything.”

Judon, a four-time Pro Bowler who was slowed by injuries last season, is already the highest-paid player on the Patriots' roster with a salary cap hit of $14,654,848 for next season. in response to Spotrac.

Despite missing all but 4 games last season, Judon has recorded the identical variety of sacks (32) as Jacksonville’s Joshua Hines-Allen within the last three seasons.

Hinds-Allen signed a 5-year contract price $150 million This means he’ll earn about double what Judon earns annually this offseason.

Of course, there's a giant difference between evaluating a 26-year-old pass rusher at his best and one who turns 32 in August and is fresh off a serious injury, but their performances haven't been far apart lately.

How durable Judon will probably be this season and beyond stays to be seen. Last season was the one time in his profession he missed greater than three games in a daily season. He played all 17 games in 2021 and 2022 before his injury sidelined him in 2023.

Godchaux, 29, made 56 tackles last season and commenced all 17 games for a Patriots defense that limited runners to an NFL-best 3.3 yards per carry last season. His $11.8 million salary cap hit is the third-highest on the Patriots behind Judon and cornerback Jonathan Jones.

Last month, Godchaux posted a message on the social media platform X However, he desires to stay in New England long-term, but needs a contract that makes financial sense for him.

“Hopefully we can work something out that is fair to me and my team before camp starts!” Godchaux posted. “I love NE, I would love to retire here but it has to make sense for us! What I do most of my time on the football field in the trenches is not on the stat sheet but turn on the film and you will see it when you have the ball! I would love to finish my career here in NE but it has to make sense for me and my team!”

Mayo said the Patriots would do “everything possible” to maintain Godchaux and Judon. Keeping them could be good for the organization, Mayo said.

Neither player has negotiated a brand new contract with the team, but each have reported to training camp. Mayo said he expects them to take part in practice.

“When you're here, you're always expected to go out and train and compete. That's what it's all about,” he said.