New England Patriots outside linebacker Matthew Judon said he will play this season on his current contract.
The four-time Pro Bowler was on the practice field Monday, a week after a heated exchange with head coach Jerod Mayo and members of the team’s front office, reportedly over his contract status.
“I gotta play,” Judon told reporters after Monday’s session. “This ain’t nothing about practice. I gotta do what I’m contracted and obligated to do so I don’t lose money.”
Judon has been an on-again, off-again participant in camp while seeking a raise from the $6.5 million base salary he is set to earn this season in the final year of a four-year, $56 million deal. He is due to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
“I want to stay here for the remainder of my career,” he said. “I only have one year left. It’s not up to me.”
For the first time, Judon talked to reporters about his exchange last week with Mayo.
“We had a conversation,” Judon said. “I didn’t want to be a distraction to the team, and I wasn’t participating that day so I went inside.”
Judon, who turns 32 on Aug. 15, is a ninth-year veteran who missed 13 games last season after suffering a torn biceps against the Dallas Cowboys in a Week 4 loss.
In eight seasons, Judon has 369 tackles, 66.5 sacks, 165 quarterback hits, nine forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 114 games (82 starts) with the Baltimore Ravens (2016-20) and Patriots.
–Field Level Media