Amped-up Matthew Judon eyeing best season yet with Patriots after fiery quote

A lot went wrong for the Patriots in 2023 and among the many things that fans will remember in an unfond way is the devastating losses of Christian Gonzalez and Matthew Judon due to season-ending injuries in Week 4.

Losing two of their top defensive players so early in the season certainly took a hit to how the unit was playing, but the absence of Judon had a much more significant impact on the team.

Since signing with New England in 2021, the four-time Pro Bowler has been the most dominant pass rusher the team has had in several years. He has consistently led the charge, recording 32 sacks in just 38 games, and has already cemented his legacy in Patriots history with his production.

He was well on his way to continuing to build upon that impressive resume last season, totaling four sacks in three games before his injury. And although he had initially been slated to return before the end of the year, he never got cleared and spent the rest of the season on the sideline.

Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Judon is already amped up and ready to return to the field, sharing what his goals are and the type of attitude he will be having during a recent appearance on The Money Down podcast co-hosted by Patriots fan favorite and legend James White.

Amped-up Matthew Judon eyeing best season yet with Patriots after fiery quote

In addition to Patriots fans demanding Judon's return last year, the linebacker also took to social media, practically begging the team to let him play near the end of the season. He had recovered well from his surgery, and it had previously been reported that he would return in December.

But other factors deterred that from happening, much to the displeasure of all in New England.

Partly because of that, Judon shared the mentality he will have getting back on the field with his teammates this fall, proclaiming he has a "vendetta" with a lot left to prove in his career,

“I’m out for a vendetta. I got s—t to prove, and I got stuff I want to get done in my career. Personally, I’m going to be all BS all year. I’m about to turn the dial back.”

If that doesn't make you want to run through a wall, what does?

It's good to hear Judon have that same excitement that appears to match how several of his teammates are feeling this offseason. It's clear there is a new vibe in the locker room despite all the significant changes that have taken place and the team is ready to get back to work and prove the doubters wrong.

Judon mentioned that as well, dismissing the idea that New England is in the midst of a deep rebuild with no success on the horizon.

“It’s not going to be the same. It’s not going to be the same Patriots. know it’s going to look different, it’s going to feel different. But we’re not laying down for anybody. We’re not trying to rebuild. That’s what everybody — ‘Oh, you’re in a rebuild.’ This is not post-apocalypse. We just got a new coach.

“He was there for a long time; he was a great coach; he was great for the organization; he did everything in his power to win championships. But now it’s Mayo’s time to do the exact same thing. We’re not about to come out every game looking like a deer in the headlights. We’re going to put the best 11 on the field — offense, defense and special teams — to win a game.”

Although he said he couldn't speak for his teammates, it's obvious that the team is fired up under new coach Jerod Mayo and wants to perform well not just for themselves but also for him.

This attitude and mentality can take a team far. It feels like the Patriots are in a position to do just that in 2024, regardless of what analysts and other fans say about the team's immediate future.

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