Sources: Team lost two of its OTA practices after Judge-led meetings
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Patriots were docked two days of Organized Team Activities because of scheduling errors caused by Joe Judge-led special teams meetings earlier this offseason, league sources told the Herald.
According to documents obtained by Boston Sports Journal, Judge held 20-minute “special teams workshops” prior to regular offensive and defensive meetings that led to the violation.
The NFLPA filed an initial complaint on May 4 citing three instances where these workshops directed players to stay at the facility longer than the permitted four hours per day. The Patriots responded almost two weeks later, per Boston Sports Journal,andcooperatedfullywith the NFL, which levied its punishment this week.
The team was forced to cancel its upcoming OTA practices on Thursday and Tuesday, May 30. Pats coach Billbelichickwasalsoreportedly fined $50,000.
Thepatriotswillnextpractice on Wednesday, May 31. The team is now down to eight allowed OTA practices this offseason, as it continues to install a new offense under returned offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Bill O’brien. Judge lost his title as the team’s quarterbacks coach to O’brien in January, when O’brien was also namedoffensivecoordinator.
During the 2022 season, Judge’s first and only coaching quarterbacks, he repeatedly clashed with Mac Jones. Judge was also phased out of offensive meetings later in the year, per sources. Belichick re-assigned Judge to an assistant head coach/special teams coach role this spring.
The Pats will conclude theiroffseasonwithamandatory minicamp running June 12-14.
Tight end added: The Patriots and veteran tight end Anthony Firkser have reachedtermsonafree-agent deal, according to ESPN.
Last year, Firkser caught ninepassesfor100yardsover 11 games with the Falcons. He made one start in his first and only season with Atlanta, which followed a four-year stint with the Titans. Tennessee signed Firkser as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2018, and he quickly established himself as a quality blocking tight end.