Matthew Judon makes plea to the Patriots amidst contract negotiations

Among the many headlines about the Patriots' start to training camp on Wednesday was the surprising presence of Davon Godchaux and Matthew Judon, who are looking for contract extensions to keep them in New England beyond the 2024 season.

There were hints of possible holdouts from both players, but their participation at summer practice debunks that rumor quickly. Because of their ongoing contract negotiations, it was a good sign they chose to show up and could indicate how things are going behind the scenes.

It was partially what prompted reporters to ask Judon about the status of his extension talks during his post-practice media availability, and Judon didn't hesitate to be candid about the situation. He addressed several things with detailed responses, even regarding his social media activity in recent days, but it was his plea to the team that stood out the most and should open the eyes of the new regime to keep him long-term.

Matthew Judon is practically begging the Patriots to re-sign him to an extension

Of the several questions regarding his contract status, Judon was first asked for an update about the negotiation process, to which he gave an honest assesment of the situation as well as his desire to remain with the team until he retires, a point he has made many times in the past.

"Y'all be knowing before me. But, honestly, it's tough going into the last year of the deal. You kinda look at everybody around the league and in the building, and you see them getting deals done and worked out, and it's tough to not be jealous or envious or something like that. But, honestly, I gotta focus on myself. I'm happy for those guys.

As much as everybody wanna see me stay around here for a long time, it's really not up to me. I'd pay myself a lot of money and just stay around here for a long time -- but it's not up to me. So, you gotta ask those guys that's making those decisions. And they're trying to do what's best for the team, rightfully so and understandably. They're trying to put us in the right spot to win games, and leverage everybody's contract and the right situation, make sure the salary cap is right.

So, where, if we get into a tough spot later in the year, we can sign players and what not. But it's not up to me, I'd pay myself a lot of money and then just be cool with it."

He followed that up with a simple one-line answer about wanting to stay a Patriot beyond this upcoming season.

"If it was up to me, then I'd love to stay here forever."

If it were up to many Patriots fans and probably most of his teammates, Judon would retire a Patriot.

Based on what Jerod Mayo said just yesterday to reporters, the team seems interested in making that happen. But contract talks have been ongoing with Judon for several months now, with reports claiming the Patriots made an offer, but it wasn't what he was looking for.

There are certainly concerns about his return from a season-ending injury and his age, all of which is always an issue with players at the position, so for Eliot Wolf to be more cautious with the contract makes sense. However, Judon has become the face of the Patriots' defense and has the production to back it up, so keeping him also makes sense.

The problem is that there doesn't appear to be an end in sight for a new contract, which was made clear by Judon's request for reporters to speak to front office staff like Matt Groh and Eliot Wolf, hoping they could somehow help move the process along.

"Y'all know what Matt Groh looks like, and Eliot (Wolf). ... If Y'all can pull them to the side, ask them. Have a real conversation with them. Don't be a reporter; have a real conversation with them. And if they give y'all that time, that's when y'all get all y'all answers. Y'all can't get no answers out of me. ... I hope I can play here this year. ... But if that's not the case, that's not the case."

It's been a while since a Patriot has been this passionate about remaining with the team, and Judon has made it very evident over the past two years that he wants to stay in New England despite their struggles to win games.

They have the cap space this year and beyond, plus room on the roster to accommodate that request, so why not make it happen?

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