Patriots Leader Weighs In On Matthew Judon Contract Situation

All eyes were once again on Matthew Judon during New England Patriots training camp practice Friday.

Not only was Judon present for the session amid his contract dispute with the team, but he was a full participant in the padded practice -- Judon had only participated in non-padded practices to this point.

It's a step in the right direction for Judon -- it was his second straight practice -- after an ugly start to the week when he got into an animated exchange on the field with first-year head coach Jerod Mayo and was sent off. Judon then reportedly didn't show up to the facility Tuesday.

A few of Judon's Patriots teammates, especially Davon Godchaux, have publicly voiced their support for the star edge rusher during his ongoing contract standoff with the team.

Jabrill Peppers, the leader of New England's secondary, didn't go as far as Godchaux, who said he wanted to see Judon get his contract, with his comments when asked about Judon's situation, but he did back his teammate.

"I really wasn't out here. But you know, it is what it is," Peppers told reporters Friday. "We like to keep in-house things in house. But Judon's a good guy, man. He's a pro. We all have our days, but I think he's come back and responded."

Peppers last week received what Judon is after. The hard-hitting safety inked a contract extension that will pay him up to $30 million and keep him with the Patriots for the next three seasons.

And Peppers hopes to enjoy that time with Judon helping him spearhead New England's defensive unit.

"I don't even speak on my own contract situation, so I'm not gonna speak on another guy's," Peppers said. "But his impact and what he means to this team is definitely tremendous both on and off the field, in the locker room. So that's a guy that I definitely hope we can keep around here for a long time."