New England Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon is appreciating the mood around the team following the departure of legendary head coach Bill Belichick.
The Patriots and Belichick agreed to part ways after this past season, and New England elevated linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to the role of head coach as Belichick’s replacement.
Judon says the change has been good for the environment.
“I think with him leaving, it’s just new energy and new life in the building,” Judon said, via Khari Thompson of Boston.com. “Sometimes it’s just time and I think it was just one of those times. … I think with the hire of Mayo, bringing in somebody that was actually there for those years, understands player perspective and coaching and also how coach Belichick actually ran the system. I think bringing in somebody like that, instead of somebody that’s outside and didn’t know at all kind of helped us.”
Belichick had been serving as Pats head coach since 2000 and led the franchise to six Super Bowl championships, nine Super Bowl appearances and 17 AFC East division titles.
While Judon is clearly ready to move on, he still acknowledged Belichick’s greatness.
“Belichick was a great coach. I looked up to him,” Judon said. “I think he is one of the best to ever do it, at the clip that he did it and the high level IQ that he had, it was amazing to learn from him.”
Judon played in just four games this past year due to a torn bicep that ended his season early. He logged 13 tackles and four sacks during his time on the field.
The 31-year-old is getting set to enter his fourth season with the Patriots after spending the first five years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens.
Judon has truly broken out in New England, especially in 2022 when he racked up 60 tackles, 15.5 sacks, a couple of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
The Grand Valley State product made four straight trips to the Pro Bowl between 2019 and 2022.
With Bill Belichick no longer around, we’ll see if Matthew Judon and the Pats are able to have a fresh start next season.
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