Patriots' Matthew Judon wants new deal but won't sit out camp: 'My signature's on it, so I got to play on it'

Please enable Javascript to view this content

New England Patriots pass rusher Matthew Judon won’t sit out of training camp practices despite displeasure with his current contract.

“My signature’s on it, so I got to play on it,” Judon said Wednesday, via The Associated Press. “Do I think that’s my value? No. But, again, that’s not up to me. I hope I can continue to play here and be a catalyst to one of the best defenses in the league. If that’s not the case, that’s not the case.

“It’s hard not to be jealous or envious. But honestly, I’ve got to focus on myself. As much as everyone would like me to stay around here for a long time, it’s not up to me. I would pay myself a lot of money and be cool with it.”

Judon, who turns 32 years old during training camp, is set to earn just $6.5 million in base salary in 2024, and the $11.25 million-per-year average on his current deal is well below other edge rushers of his ilk. However, he’s coming off an injury-riddled season in which he played in just four games, generating four sacks.

While other players seeking new deals hold out or hold in, Judon plans to participate in camp during coach Jerod Mayo’s first season.

Judon has made it known all offseason that he wants a new contract. While the Patriots’ new front office spent the offseason paying its incumbents, the veteran edge rusher has been out in the cold.

Judon noted that he hopes to remain in New England and avoid the trade talk that will surely come if the contract situation lingers.

“I don’t want to move again, but as I tell my daughter, who’s 9, you can only control what you can control,” Judon said. “You see guys like (fellow Patriots linebackers) Anfernee Jennings and Josh Uche sign back here and it’s because of the locker room. There are a lot of guys who get in here and they’re addicted to it. It’s an addictive culture and I want to be around it.”

If Judon doesn’t get the payday he seeks and is shining on a club with a losing record in a rebuilding season, the trade chatter will only increase closer to the deadline.