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Earlier this week, Davon Godchaux’s agent Drew Rosenhaus, Jason Rosenhaus, Matt Groh, Eliot Wolf and Robyn Glaser were all spotted having a lengthy discussion during Patriots training camp.
After practice, Godchaux, Drew Rosenhaus and Jerod Mayo held a 5-10 minute talk on the Friends and Family hill too.
Well, apparently those discussions were productive and positive.
Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday afternoon – a day off for the players before three straight practices Thursday-Saturday – that the team has agreed to a two-year extension with the defensive lineman. According to Schefter, the deal is worth up to $21 million and includes $16.5 million of guaranteed money.
Godchaux had spoken last week after practice and acknowledged that it was frustrating that he didn’t have a new deal, but to his credit he continued to show up and not be a distraction, unlike Matt Judon.
Godchaux is just 29 years old and entering his eighth NFL season, his fourth with New England. In his three seasons with the Patriots, Godchaux has 183 combined tackles (81 solo), 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery, but Godchaux’s importance is more than just numbers. His presence can’t be replicated, especially right now.
A stout guy in the middle, Godchaux is an important key to the run defense puzzle that Demarcus Covington will need to piece together in his first season as defensive coordinator. Not only that, but with Mayo in his first season, he’s one of many important locker room guys who can maintain a steadying presence and voice. This is also an important signing for the continued delivering of the message that if you do things the right way in New England, you’ll be rewarded with a new deal under Wolf/Glaser/Groh.
Not only that, but if Matt Judon is in fact going to continue being a problem and if Christian Barmore’s blood clot issue keeps him out for the year, not having a happy Godchaux out there may have spelled imminent doom for the Patriots defense. Now, at the very least, there’s one impact veteran in the middle.
Off the field this is a good thing too. Godchaux and his wife had taken over for Lawrence Guy and his wife’s baby shower initiative for single mothers in the area earlier this offseason, so that will be continuing now as well through his ‘Chauxdown Foundation.’