FOXBOROUGH - Matthew Judon had a chance to own his current situation after today's practice.
Instead, he was evasive, played coy, and sometimes knowingly withheld the truth behind a smile. Why?
Judon spoke publicly about what went into his decision to not dress for the first day of full pads last Monday and offered very little insight on a day where his frustration appeared to boil over.
"We had a conversation," he said of his two on-field chats with Jerod Mayo that day. "I didn't want to be distracting to the team, so I went inside. I wasn't participating in those drills that day. So, I went inside, and then I got a message, so I came back and talked to the GM, our GMs. Then I went back inside.
"Sorry, I'm animated. I talk with my hands, where — I'm going to start talking like this (hands by his side) and not be so animated."
Judon later claimed he didn't practice Monday and Tuesday because he "had something going on." That something, obviously, is his contract. He's already on record saying he's worth more than he's being paid (I agree). But less than a week after saying he'd play for that deal, Judon caused a scene. I asked him if that was because he didn't feel like progress was being made, and this was his way of saying I can't go forward under these parameters?
"No, I gotta play," he said, pausing before slyly adding, "Didn't say nothing about practice. ... I gotta do what I'm contracted and obligated to do so I don't lose some money."
Judon stressed practice, so I immediately followed up, asking him what the Pats were saying about practice, considering the missed days and some erratic participation since.
"You talk to them? You talk to them."
We have talked to Mayo, but there's been no real update besides the head coach saying they're moving forward. GM Eliot Wolf has been requested through media relations, but by league rules, he's only obligated to speak to us once in the preseason. That hasn't happened yet. Judon insists he wants to remain here but that it's "not up to him."
With roster bonuses, Judon could earn a little over $7 million this season, the last of his deal. My understanding is he is willing to take a shorter-term deal, but it hasn't been clarified if that is just a bump for this year or guaranteed money for next year as well. The soon-to-be 32-year-old edge rusher danced around that topic, not offering up a player contract comparison that would work for him or revealing the contract offer he reportedly made to the team (he said this on a podcast last week).
"It's in my notes," he said. "I don't remember off the top of my head. ... If I had my phone, I'd show you all, but I don't."
Right. I'm sure he doesn't remember. What are we doing here?
Then there's last Wednesday's social media post on 'X' (formerly Twitter). The Athletic reported Judon had received a new contract offer, but Judon's account responded:
"No they haven't but it makes me look bad again. Don't believe the lies."
Judon has danced around who runs his account (over 130K followers) for at least a year. I asked him for clarification today. He didn't let me finish the query.
"We not going to talk about no social media," he responded before acknowledging another reporter, "Go ahead."
There was more back-and-forth about why Judon has stopped interacting with the fans (he now comes up the back steps, which is as far away from the crowd as he can be) and what his real value is — "I don't think it's $6.5 (million)" — but generally, despite being polite, the veteran didn't lend any real insight, making me wonder what the purpose of his talking was in the first place. Maybe he's just here, so he won't get fined.