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Jerod Mayo is getting ready for Year 1 as head coach of the New England Patriots. As fall camp moves forward, he’s already making headlines.
The coach was involved in a heated discussion with defender Matthew Judon, who’s hoping to sign a new contract. The end result was a practice omission as Judon stormed off the field.
Judon has not been practicing with the team while negotiating that new deal. Still, he’s been on the sidelines to watch along with hopes that a deal can get done soon.
The veteran spoke on those discussions this offseason.
“I don’t want to be the villain,” he said. “I don’t want to be the bad guy. But it’s like shoot bro, help me out. We’ve got the most cap in the league right now. I wrote out my own contract… they just haven’t responded yet.”
Matthew Judon has been in New England for the last three seasons after beginning his career with the Baltimore Ravens. He’s blossomed into one of the league’s top pass rushers with the Patriots, racking up 32 sacks in 38 games.
He’d like for that to continue, but at the moment, things are at a stand-still.
That might’ve been the topic of conversation during an animated exchange between Judon and Jerod Mayo on Monday.
Jerod Mayo appears to exchange some words with Matthew Judon who is not participating in practice today. Judon seen exiting the field after their conversation 👀 pic.twitter.com/BJvP64tnpS
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) July 29, 2024
Judon walked off the field after that interaction, skipping out on the remainder of the practice session.
It wasn’t the best look for the first-year head coach as he looks to follow up legend Bill Belichick.
Speaking of Belichick, the former coach doesn’t seem keen on helping Jerod Mayo navigate the head coaching waters.
Belichick has apparently been slow to reach out to his successor.
“We haven’t had a lot of communication,” Mayo said while speaking to Kay Adams. “I learned a lot from Bill… but it’s a different time, it’s a different era and hopefully we can have that same success.”
Has Bill Belichick reached out to new #Patriots HC Jerod Mayo since he got the gig? 🔊
“We haven’t had a lot of communication. I learned a lot from Bill… but it’s a different time, it’s a different era and hopefully we can have that same success.” @jerod_mayo51 @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/DkMNpzQJlc
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) July 29, 2024
Saltiness from Belichick towards the man that took his job? Maybe the two share a mutual feeling on the radio silence.
Since leaving the sidelines, Belichick has been living it up with his much younger girlfriend, ex-cheerleader Jordon Hudson.
He’s left Mayo to deal with the difficulties of being the head coach on his own!
Things aren’t off to the best start in New England based off the scene that played out on Monday. We’ll see if things get better for Jerod Mayo as we get closer to fall.