The extension with Christian Barmore has complicated the situations of both Judon and Davon Godchaux, and that it’s created some friction in the negotiations with those players.
“I know Judon has said the right things, we talked about it on the last podcast, he went on Rich’s [Shertenlieb] show and basically said he wasn’t going to do what he did last year,” said Bedard. “I have reason to believe that will not be true. But I will say that there are rumblings that there are a couple of big contract issues with the Patriots, and they stem from Christian Barmore’s deal.”
Barmore’s four-year contract was agreed to at the end of April. At the time, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the deal had a maximum value of $92 million, and Jeremy Fowler reported that Barmore’s deal would include $41.8 million in guaranteed money.
That likely reset the benchmark that both veterans are now trying to measure against, with each likely trying to establish where their value falls in comparison. However, one player’s perception of value may not necessarily match how they’re viewed by the team
If Matthew Judon is comparing himself on equal terms to Christian Barmore, then he is in dire need of a large bucket of ice cold water reality check. Christian Barmore is 24 years old. Judon is about to turn 32 - and plays a position that relies far more on speed, which makes age a far more important factor. Past performance is a starting point, but is only part of the equation that results in a fair and equitable contract.
