Key patriots starter got what he wanted but still doesn’t sound too happy
Davon Godchaux wanted a new contract and the New England Patriots rewarded him with one. But when speaking with the media for the first time since the contract extension became public, it seemed Godchaux didn't fully get what he wanted. “My wife made me realize something: Every time you’re not going to get what you […]
Davon Godchaux wanted a new contract and the New England Patriots rewarded him with one. But when speaking with the media for the first time since the contract extension became public, it seemed Godchaux didn't fully get what he wanted.
“My wife made me realize something: Every time you’re not going to get what you want, but just always be grateful for it,” Godchaux said after Thursday's training camp practice. “So I’m grateful for her words. I’m grateful for my agent working it out with the Patriots, Eliot Wolf, Matt Groh. I’m glad we got something done. Every time you’re not going to get what you want, but just be grateful for what you have.”
Godchaux got a two-year extension worth up to $21 million, with $16.5 million guaranteed. And while he implied that it wasn't perfect, he's happy that the negotiations are in the past.
“Back to football,” Godchaux said. “I don’t have to worry about my agent giving me a call saying ‘I talked to Matt Groh. I talked to Eliot Wolf.’ So I’m glad we got it figured out. I’m just ready to get back to football.”
Similarly, Jerod Mayo took a few moments prior to the practice to speak about what Godchaux brings to the team and what made them want to keep him around.
"Well, the thing about Godchaux is he’s a huge piece of what we do," Mayo explained. "Look, it’s never a – well, at least for me – it’s never been just a clean process of, ‘Alright, you want a deal? Here’s a deal. Alright, we’re done.’ So, this was a little bit more extensive, but I’m happy to have him here. I’m happy to have Davon here happy and ready to go. So, it’s good."
And what helped was the way Godchaux carried himself throughout the preseason. He did hold in during June's minicamp, but was back for the start of training camp. While he was very vocal about wanting a new contract, he was still out at practice participating each and every day. The only day he was absent was the second session, but that was injury related and not due to his contract.
So with that, Mayo emphasized what it meant to have him on the field despite all the outside noise.
"Yeah, that is our philosophy, and once again, this isn’t unique to the New England Patriots as far as guys wanting a new contract. But he handled it like a professional in the classroom and out here on the field," Mayo added. "He was out here in full pads participating in everything, and that definitely helps."
