The Patriots have more than a month off before training camp begins at the end of July. Here are three leftover thoughts from their spring …
1. After running back Rhamondre Stevenson became the latest Patriot to secure a contract extension, who is next in line?
Outside linebacker Matthew Judon and nose tackle Davon Godchaux are the most likely candidates. Both have one season left on their deals.
Judon, who will turn 32 in August, indicated on “The Rich Shertenlieb Show” that he is not interested in making a fuss over his contract, as he did last year. After skipping the voluntary portion of the offseason, Judon fully participated in mandatory minicamp.
“Right now, I’m just going to get ready to play,” Judon said. “You kind of keep throwing tantrums, tantrums, tantrums. Then, you don’t come out there and do what you’re supposed to do. It kind of gets old real fast.
“I ain’t really trying to do that. I’m just trying to come out here and play football, get ready for this upcoming season, and put our defense and ourselves in a position where we can win the most games, or to be the most effective.”
At the start of training camp last year, Judon engaged in a “hold-in” while waiting for the team to adjust his deal. The Patriots ended up reworking his contract to increase the guaranteed money from $2 million to $14 million for the season.
When asked in March about possibly extending Judon, coach Jerod Mayo voiced his support and confirmed that negotiations had begun.
Judon’s 2024 base salary is currently $6.5 million.
“There’s no question we want a guy like Judon,” Mayo said. “We know he’s still a premier rusher in this league. As we continue to go forward, we want him to be a piece of the puzzle.”
Judon, for his part, is saying all the right things.
“I ain’t worried about holding out, sitting out, or sitting in, kind of protesting,” he said. “I’m just going to come out here and play ball, because last year, that stuff was trash. I ain’t really like that. I’m a football player.”
As for Godchaux? He reported for mandatory minicamp but did not participate.
Godchaux, who will turn 30 in November, is set to earn $7.15 million in base salary this season, with no guaranteed money. He has not commented publicly on his contract situation.
According to Mayo, “a bunch of guys,” including Godchaux, are looking for new deals. Other Patriots entering contract years who could be on that list are safety Jabrill Peppers, cornerback Jonathan Jones, and linebacker Jahlani Tavai.
Stevenson, defensive tackle Christian Barmore, and center David Andrews all were slated to enter the final year of their contracts before securing extensions.
“It was important for us to reward the guys that we want here,” Mayo said. “The guys that encompass the Patriot Way. The guys that come to work each and every day with a good attitude, looking to get better.”
2. The Patriots have high hopes for Stevenson and the run game under offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, but the system’s success hinges on the offensive line.
The coaching staff tinkered with a variety of line combinations during spring practices, with Michael Onwenu taking snaps at right tackle and right guard. Onwenu would bring a veteran presence to the interior.
The Patriots experimented with multiple possibilities at guard, including Nick Leverett, Atonio Mafi, Sidy Sow, Layden Robinson, and Michael Jordan. Starting left guard Cole Strange is out indefinitely after suffering a torn patellar tendon last season.
If the Patriots keep Onwenu at right tackle, the starting line would likely include, as of now, Leverett (right guard), Andrews (center), Sow (left guard), and Chukwuma Okorafor (left tackle). If they move Onwenu back to right guard, replacing Leverett, then rookie Caedan Wallace could step in at right tackle.
Determining the optimal combination will be critical for not only the run game and the rest of the offense, but also rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s development.
3. The Patriots have a bit of a logjam at wide receiver, but one player who shined during the spring was 2023 sixth-round pick Kayshon Boutte.
Boutte, who turned 22 in May, made several impressive catches. During a red zone drill, he caught three straight touchdown passes from Maye, who complimented his ability to win one-on-one matchups.
“He’s a good ballplayer,” Maye said.
Boutte is still with the team after getting arrested in January on illegal gambling charges. According to Mayo, Boutte’s status will remain unchanged unless the Patriots hear otherwise from the NFL.
If Boutte can stack meaningful performances throughout camp, when the pads come on, the Patriots will have some tough roster decisions to make at receiver.
Barring injury or another unforeseen circumstance, K.J. Osborn, DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker appear to be locks. If Kendrick Bourne (ACL) is healthy, so would he. If Bourne starts the season on the physically unable to perform list, that could open the door for another receiver to make the initial roster.
In addition to Boutte, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, and Jalen Reagor are fighting for the final spot(s).
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.