Matthew Judon returned to Patriots' training camp for the first day of padded practice last Thursday after the star pass-rusher missed time after a public dispute with head coach Jerod Mayo on July 29.
The 32-year-old linebacker has been extremely vocal about wanting a new contract and said he left practice after his discussion with Mayo because he "didn't want to be a distraction to the team."
Judon admitted he is practicing because he has to play if he wants to get paid on his current contract, but he refused to discuss any negotiations with the Patriots.
"You gotta talk to them. Like I told y'all before, I would pay myself so we'd never talk about it. But it's not up to me," Judon said. "I told you all I wanted to stay here the rest of my career. Obviously, that would equal more (years). But I only have one year left. I think with more years would come more money; that's usually how a contract works. But it's not up to me."
Despite not being happy with his current deal, Judon said he is in a good space mentally.
"There's football, and there's football business," Judon told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Monday, per the team. "They're two different things. I love football, I love my teammates. I don't like the business of football. ... My mental space is untouched."
