Since signing with the Patriots in the spring of 2021, Matthew Judon has become well known as a social media recruiter for the team. He’s regularly tweeting at NFL free agents, trying to convince them to come play in New England.

The latest target of Judon’s recruiting tactics has been free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Judon has been tweeting about Hopkins since March, with his efforts on the app ramping up against last week.

• After Patriots practice on Tuesday, Judon was asked if he’s been in any further contact with Hopkins since Friday night’s tweet. “You’re seeing all you’re going to get,” he said. “I don’t run my Twitter, so I don’t know who be tweeting most of the time. So that’s what I got for y’all.”

  Wait, what?

• Matthew Judon was asked about recruiting DeAndre Hopkins to the #Patriots
  
  Here's what he had to say 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DP83Yslzkr

  — NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) June 13, 2023

• That’s right. Judon claimed that his Twitter account, which has generally been very interactive with fans, is [most of the time] run by somebody else.

  Still, Judon was asked if he has any relationship, on Twitter or beyond, with Hopkins. “I’d rather just focus on the players that we have here,” Judon said. “Our receiving corps – we got some guys out here just willing and eager to learn and get better every day. We have guys that can catch the ball, that can advance the ball, that can make big plays, that can score from anywhere on the field. That’s what we have, and we have a quarterback that can get them the ball.”

  Pressed on it, Judon pushed back a bit. “Come on, guys. If DeAndre Hopkins is a free agent, if I know him as a friend or as a confidant, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “He’s a great player. He did amazing things, and wherever he lands, he lands. If it’s here, it’s here, and then we can talk about him.”

• READ MORE:

  — Minicamp Day 2 observations
  — Judon’s high praise for Marte Mapu
  — Bill Belichick broke a golden rule for DeAndre Hopkins

• Will Judon get that chance to talk about Hopkins as a teammate in the future? The five-time All-Pro receiver is reportedly meeting with the Patriots Wednesday and Thursday this week.

  As for Judon’s Twitter – so far whoever is running the handle ‘@man_dammn’ hasn’t said anything about Judon’s comment. No doubt, the next tweet should be a good one.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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