The New England Patriots and linebacker Matthew Judon reportedly agreed Friday to readjust his current contract. He will now receive $14 million in fully guaranteed money for the 2023 NFL season, according to NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo.
Judon, 30, effectively held in until getting his wish. During the first week of training camp, he only did individual workouts, avoiding team drills at all costs.
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Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who has the final say in negotiations, rewarded Judon by giving him $12 million more in guaranteed money.
Judon’s contract did not change in any other way. He is still locked in to the four-year deal signed in 2021 when arriving from the Baltimore Ravens.
The linebacker has made the Pro Bowl in both seasons with New England and will now be able to focus on facing the Philadelphia Eagles to start the Patriots’ year.
Rob Gronkowski does not approve
Earlier this week, Patriots legend Robert Gronkowski spoke of Judon holding in while on the Dan & Ninko podcast, and wasn’t exactly on board.
“Matthew Judon holding [in] right now at training camp and not participating in drills is one of the weirdest things I’ve ever heard,” Gronkowski told former teammate Rob Ninkovich. “I don’t know. Just go hold out. You don’t want to get fined, but you’re asking for more money, but you don’t want to get fined?
“Well, if you’re asking for more money, then be a boss and ask them to cancel the fines out when you get a new deal or something. I don’t know. It’s a weird situation, it’s silly.”
The new collective bargaining agreement does not allow franchises to rescind holdout fines during training camp, which is why players show up to camp and don’t practice, so Gronkowski’s advice wouldn’t have worked. Either way, Judon deserves the pay raise and the tight end is probably happy for him.
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