Matthew Judon on Monday addressed one of the biggest storylines from New England Patriots training camp.
Judon spoke to the media for the first time since he walked out of practice last Monday, New England's first padded session. Judon's animated departure followed a series of on-field conversations with head coach Jerod Mayo and Patriots executives Eliot Wolf and Matt Groh.
Judon entered camp unhappy with his contract, which is set to pay him $6.5 million in base salary in 2024.
"We had a conversation," Judon told reporters at Gillette Stadium. "I didn't want to be a distraction to the team. I went inside. I wasn't participating in those drills that day, so I went inside. Then I got a message so I came back and talked to our GM (Wolf)."
The pass-rusher added: "Sorry, I'm animated. I talk with my hands. I'm going to start talking like this (stationary) and not be so animated."
Judon did not practice Tuesday and reportedly did not show up to the facility. Judon said he had "something going on."
Following those events, Mayo said he had a "healthy" conversation with Judon, who has fully participated in each practice since then.
Judon, like Mayo, felt it was a productive conversation but not in the sense it got him any closer to a revised contract.
"I feel like that's every conversation, right? Regardless of the emotions that's involved, you try to get to an understanding," Judon said. "I think just because we don't agree don't mean we don't understand each other's side."
Judon, as he said after New England's first training camp practice two weeks ago, knows he needs to play on the current terms. It's the deal he signed.
"I got to go out there and play, I got to play the game," Judon said. "I got to do what I'm contracted, obligated to do so I don't lose my money."
When asked if he's sensed any progress, Judon said those questions were better suited for New England's decision-makers.
"You got to talk to them, man," he said. "Like I told y'all before, I would pay myself and we would never talk about it. But it's not up to me."
Judon and the Patriots are set to practice Tuesday before their preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.
