Patriots Matthew Judon Making His Presence Known in First Preseason Game

New England Patriots football is back! The 2024 NFL season is officially here as the Patriots first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers is underway.

And one of the biggest storylines heading into the first game of the year has been the ongoing discussions regarding the contract of Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon.

However, as the first quarter was coming to an end, it didn't seem that the Patriots star, who is sitting out of the preseason opener isn't having any ill will towards his teammates and coaching staff.

Judon pulled aside edge rusher Oshane Ximines for what appeared to be a quick coaching moment before the second quarter got underway. Ximines, a former third round draft pick out of Old Dominion University is in his first season with the Patriots after being with the New York Giants the last five seasons.

Judon has plenty of NFL experience that younger players will lean on as they attempt to make the Patriots 53 man roster.

This is the first preseason game for the New England Patriots against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. The team will play two more before they must cut the roster to 53 players in preparation for Week 1 of the NFL Regular season. The Patriots will open the year on the road at Paycor Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 8th at 1 PM EST.

One of the main focuses of the first game of the preseason for the Patriots will be the first professional action of rookie Quarterback Drake Maye who was

selected with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft this past offseason. You can find a list of the rest of the rookies drafted this season on the Patriots roster here .

The game will also be the first under the new head coaching regime led by former player Jerod Mayo . He takes over with huge shoes to fill after New England moved on from future Hall of Fame coac

h Bill Belichick after 24 seasons.

Be sure to stay up to date with Patriots Country to catch more highlights and analysis from Thursday’s Preseason opener.