The New England Patriots have been throwing money around to key in-house talent throughout the offseason. However, it isn’t raining green for everyone with both defensive tackle Davon Godchaux and linebacker Matthew Judon set to play on expiring contracts.
On Saturday, the Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard reported that Judon isn’t expected to play under his current deal with the Patriots. He followed up by saying Godchaux could go in the same bucket.
“What I can tell you is, from the people I’ve talked to, [Judon] is not going to play under his current contract, at least for the Patriots,” Bedard said on the “Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast.” “I can’t talk about anyplace else, that’s my understanding. I don’t know exactly what’s been communicated to the team, but that’s my understanding. You could also put Davon Godchaux in that bucket.”
"He is not going to play under his current contract." @GregABedard provides an update on Matthew Judon's negotiations with the Patriots.
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Despite his contract uncertainty, Judon still participated in the spring practices, while Godchaux stood off to the side and watched.
One has to wonder if that is a sign of things to come for Godchaux heading into training camp. Would he consider holding out for a new contract?
There has been no word of his intention to do so, and he was physically present at minicamp, even if he wasn’t a participant. He addressed his contract concerns in late June and stated that he hoped to get a deal done before camp started.
So far, that hasn’t happened yet.
The Patriots aren’t a Super Bowl-contending team, and it could make more sense for them to move away from the bloated contracts of aging veterans like Judon and Godchaux.
They’d love to have both players stay in New England, but the price point remains the biggest hurdle. The next steps will be crucial if that hurdle can’t be cleared.
Would the Patriots consider trading their top veteran defenders? It’s something to think about with training camp right around the corner.
