FOXBORO, Mass. — Did you hear about the improved vibes? What about the ping-pong table in the new players’ lounge?
Yes, it’s been made clear the New England Patriots are entering a new era with executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and head coach Jerod Mayo having replaced longtime head honcho Bill Belichick.
Arguably the most glaring difference, though, has been on display the last few days.
Both Matthew Judon and Davon Godchaux, who expressed discontent regarding their respective contracts this offseason, have spoke about their situations publicly. And Mayo, unlike Belichick, who would never talk publicly about contracts, is open to it.
“Look, I’m good with it,” Mayo said before practice Friday. “I don’t want to put a cap on it. If the guy feels a certain type of way, he has that privilege to come out here and tell you guys how he feels. I have to respect it no matter what.
“At some point in time, there’s going to be a player that comes up here and says, ‘You know what, I hate Coach Jerod’ or, ‘I hate Mayo.’ That’s how they feel, and I respect that. I know we want to keep as much stuff in-house, but there will be times they come out here and express themselves. I think it’s good.”
Judon on Wednesday held court for some 15 minutes and spoke honestly and openly about his situation. He said he does not want to be traded, but does believe he is deserving of more than what he’s set to be paid. Judon said the decision was up to the organization and not up to him.
Godchaux on Friday expressed much of the same. He admitted his frustration, and pointed to the fact he isn’t owed any guaranteed money. Godchaux said it has nothing to do with the fact he’s seen his New England teammates earn second contracts and extensions this offseason. Instead, he feels like he’s one of the best nose tackles in the NFL and wants to feel the “respect.”
Godchaux even went as far as to name-drop two players — Indianapolis Colts’ Grover Stewart and Cleveland Browns’ Dalvin Thompson — while hinting the financial commitment he is hoping to receive. Of note, Stewart signed a three-year, $39 million deal with $26 million guaranteed while Tomlinson signed a four-year, $57 million with $28 million guaranteed.
“I look at a guy like Grover Stewart. I look at a guy like Dalvin Thompson,” Godchaux said. “I look at a guy like – all those guys are run players. The run market has went up, too. Not just the pass-rush market. Grover Stewart don’t play third downs. He comes out, DeForest Buckner in there. Dalvin Thompson don’t play third down, he come out. And all those guys are paid in they price range. I’m not going to call out a number, but those guys are paid in they price range. I just really want some respect.”
Both Patriots players have, more or less, negotiated in public with Robert Kraft’s organization and its decision-makers. That’s uncommon at One Patriot Place.
And that’s because Belichick would not have reacted well to it during his two-plus decades in New England. But that time is over.
