FOXBORO — Starting nose tackle Davon Godchaux was present for both of New England’s mandatory minicamp practices but did not take part in team drills, instead watching from the sideline.
Head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed before Wednesday’s session that Godchaux’s limitations were due to a contract dispute.
“Look, we want him here,” Mayo said. “He’s one of our best players. He’s working. I will say that. He is working. He’s here every single day, has been here every single day. We look forward to getting him on the field in camp.”
Mayo was asked whether Godchaux’s situation is similar to Matthew Judon’s “hold-in” last summer, which resulted in the Patriots giving Judon a pay raise.
“I wouldn’t put it in those words,” he said. “But there are guys that, obviously, they want to redo contracts and stuff like that. And not just DG. It’s a bunch of guys that want to do those things, and we’re working through it.”
Godchaux is entering a contract year, and none of his $7.15 million in salary this season is guaranteed. The 30-year-old has appeared in every game (and started all but one) since joining the Patriots in 2021.
Mayo said he’s letting executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and his staff handle all contract-related matters.
“I don’t get into the player contracts,” the coach said. “What I will say is one thing I’ve learned is sometimes the value that the team has on a person is a little bit different than the value that the market has on a person.”
Judon, who said earlier in the week that he wouldn’t throw “tantrums” over his contract, did participate in team drills Wednesday.
