Sweat equity.

That’s what New England Patriots linebacker Josh Uche said he and his teammates built up on Thursday as finally it felt like true training camp down at Gillette Stadium.

“It’s camp, this is when we build the foundation for the season,” he said. “It’s important we build sweat equity, making sure we get that extra conditioning in, making sure the lungs are able to handle the workload of the season. Whether it’s the hill, the cross fields, it’s important … It’s all necessary to prepare for what’s coming.”

What came yesterday was hot and steamy. And lots of sweat, which must have made some players happy, although no pads.

“It ain’t hot, look at me,” Patriots defensive tackle Davon Gaudchaux said, as he had layers on. “Mayo gave us a bone today. He gave us a bone with no pads. I’m sure we’ll have pads on tomorrow and the next day. That was a big surprise.”

Heat but no drama. Disgruntled linebacker Matthew Judon, as head coach Jerod Mayo said in his pre-practice presser, was indeed out on the field, but no news of a new contract. Judon’s issues and rookie QB Drake Maye remain the main topics of camp.

Thus football clearly is in the air. Last night was the Hall of Fame Game between Houston and the Bears. Zzzzzz – but it was live football.

There was no fooling around, Mayo may have taken mercy on his team with no pads or hill runs, but it was a fairly full two hour practice.

And how about that, Judon was on the field for the duration.

“We had a great meeting with Judon, and we’re all moving forward,” Mayo said. “I remember as a player, it’s always a difficult time, right? It’s always a difficult time when you go through contract negotiations and things like that.”

Mayo said his conversation with Judon “was good, it was healthy, and I’ll always encourage those guys to come in and speak with me or speak with Eliot (GM Wolf). That’s what it is, and those things should happen inside of those walls.”

Here’s what we hope the Patriots are telling Judon, who was not at practice Tuesday after acting up on Monday with an animated “hold-in” that was clearly a distraction: We’ll give you a bump from your $6.5 million for this year but no multi-year extension with guaranteed money. Why? Judon will be 32 soon and missed two-thirds of last year. If the Patriots cave, it’s a mistake,despite the fact they’ve lost arguably their second best defensive player, Christian Barmore, out indefinitely with a blood clot issue.

If Judon acts up again, the Patriots should hold up the for sale sign and deal him. They’ll likely let him walk at the end of this season, anyway.

He has his teammates support, though.

“I still want to see my brother Matthew Judon get his contract,” Godchaux, who just got his extension, said. “As you know, we all know, it’s a business. But he deserves to have a new contract, and we’re pulling for him.”

You know that Godchaux’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, hopped on the first plane to the region after he heard of Christian Barmore’s blood clot issue sidelining him because he knew the Patriots were in a tough spot. Deal done.

Meanwhile, it’s Maye in August. The Patriots play their first preseason game next Thursday, and the talk is how Maye has struggled. Yesterday he did fine, even showing a little sidearm flip style on at least three short red zone passes. He went 5 of 6 in 11 on 11s, and 2 of 5 in 7 on 7s. One of those was a pass over the middle to Pop Douglas who was off to the races.

“Just getting better,” Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones said is what he sees of Maye. “Just getting better every day, he keeps his head on straight and wants to improve.”

Yet the main topic was Judon. We’ll see if he opts to come out when the pads come on either today or tomorrow.

“I understand the emotional component behind hit,” Uche said. “It’s something he has to navigate on his own … You definitely want to be respected, and you definitely want to be valued.”

Sweat equity? Judon is thinking of another kind of equity, the kind he feels he’s already built up.

Tom King can be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter @Telegraph _TomK.