Patriots' Star Contract Details: ‘Now We’re Playing Football!’

With any contract uncertainty firmly behind him, New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon is getting back to business on the football field.

FOXBORO — When the New England Patriots took the practice fields adjacent to Gillette Stadium on Sunday, linebacker Matthew Judon was among the team’s full participants. 

In addition to his customary red hoodie, Judon was also wearing a grin from ear-to-ear — likely stemming from his recent financial windfall. 

Judon and the Patriots reached agreement last Friday on a contract adjustment that will bump his originally-slated $2 million of guaranteed money for 2023 to $14 million. As such, the four-time Pro Bowler was understandably upbeat.

“Me and the guys upstairs got something done as far as my contract,” Judon said. “You guys all know. It’s reported. I’m happy. They’re happy. We shook hands, and now we’re playing football.”

The adjustment reportedly improved Judon’s original four-year, $54.5 million 2021 deal and will allow him to make up to $18 million this season. The report also indicated that no new years were added to the contract. Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan further reported that the impact of Judon’s restructuring on the cap will not fully be known until further information is provided on his not-likely-to-be-earned (NLTBE) incentives. 

Judon had been limited in his participation for training camp practices. In fact, initial reports linked the star linebacker’s reduced workload to a desire for a new contract. With a newly-restructured contract in hand, Judon showed no on-field rust on Sunday. He earned three “would-be sacks,” and was a fixture on New England’s pass rush for the entire afternoon. He was also present and participating in New England’s padded “scrimmage” on a rainy Monday afternoon session in Foxboro. 

As Judon said, “now, we’re playing football,” — much to the satisfaction of head coach Bill Belichick, who remained in a less-than divulgatory mood when speaking to reporters prior to Monday’s practice. 

“Yeah, I’m not gonna get into any contract talks,” Belichick tersely said. “Before, during, or after.”

Since his arrival in Foxboro during the 2021 offseason, Judon has routinely proven that he possesses the versatility and adaptability to have earned the spot as the team’s number one player on the edge. The 30-year-old’s on-field awareness puts him in position to keep runs from reaching the corner on early downs, as well as providing speed and strength when rushing the quarterback. Last season, he set a career-high 15.5 sacks, two forced fumbles (recovering one), while once again logging 60 total tackles.

However, as impressive as he has been as an individual defender, Judon has also proven to be a significant facilitator for his teammates. In 2021, he was quite effective when reading opposing coverages, particularly the offensive line coverage of the aforementioned Barmore. By positioning himself close to Barmore [thus enabling him to draw the attention of opposing blockers,] Judon was often left one-on-one on the edge to make life uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks. Last season, Judon himself played the decoy for linebacker Josh Uche, who set a career-high in sacks with 11.5. Together, the pair formed one of the top pass-rushing tandems in the NFL.

With the start of the regular-season fast approaching, Judon will again be called upon to play a crucial role on New England’s defense. Should he continue to build upon a stellar resume, he is once again likely to be the most fearsome defender within the Patriots' defensive front.

Still, the veteran linebacker was quick dispel any rumors that his effort in training camp had waned due to his contract status.

“Regardless if I would have got something done or not, I’m playing free.” Judon said. “Y’all kind of know me and know how my personality is and how I approach the game and approach the day in and day out.

“So, regardless if I was out here or I was down there [on the conditioning fields] running, I was doing it wholeheartedly, and I was doing it happy. It was never forced … I wasn’t ever thinking about something else. When I’m out here between the white lines, it’s all football.”

With the team and player finding an accord, the time for speculation has ended. 

Now, it is time to get down to business. 

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