The Miami Dolphins were eliminated from playoff contention with Monday night’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and are shaking some things up.
One of those changes came on defense, where the team released veteran pass rusher Matthew Judon, placing him on waivers.
If he clears waivers, Judon would be free to sign with any team. He has not been the same player he was earlier in his career, totaling just one tackle for loss this season and zero sacks on 10 pressures across 13 games. Still, he could provide value as a situational pass rusher down the stretch.
Here are four teams that could consider bringing in the veteran.
Playoff Contenders Who Could Sign Matthew Judon
Green Bay Packers
The Packers are reeling after losing Micah Parsons for the rest of the season with a torn ACL. They still have established starters in Rashan Gary, Kingsley Enagbare, and Lukas Van Ness, all of whom are set to see increased workloads in Parsons’ absence.
Typically, adding a veteran at this stage of the season is not how the Packers operate, as they usually lean toward youth.
So why is Judon a possibility? He has a connection to Green Bay. The Packers’ defensive line coach, DeMarcus Covington, coached Judon in New England. That includes two of Judon’s best professional seasons, when he recorded 28 sacks in 2021 and 2022.
Could Covington lobby for one of his former players to help boost Green Bay’s pass rush? Considering the loss of a player of Parsons’ magnitude, anything is on the table.
Baltimore Ravens
Judon parlayed his success in Baltimore into a lucrative free-agent contract with the New England Patriots.
He recorded 34.5 sacks in five seasons with the Ravens. Baltimore is pushing for a playoff spot and currently sits one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North.
The Ravens will face the Steelers to close out the season and encounter several dynamic passing offenses along the way. Their two games prior to that matchup come against Drake Maye and Jordan Love.
Baltimore ranks 31st in the NFL with just 22 sacks this season and has struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. Perhaps a reunion could help against Maye, Love, and Aaron Rodgers as the Ravens make a postseason push.
Chicago Bears
The Bears have thrived on takeaways this season but have struggled by allowing yards to opposing offenses.
Their pass rush has been a key factor. Dennis Allen has done a solid job generating pressure, but he often relies heavily on blitzing. At times it works, and at others it leaves the defense exposed.
A recent example came against the Packers, when Allen’s blitz packages were picked apart by Jordan Love and Green Bay’s offense. All three of Love’s touchdown passes came against blitzes and traveled more than 20 yards.
Montez Sweat and Austin Booker have served as the team’s primary pass rushers in obvious passing situations. Another expected contributor was free-agent signing Dayo Odeyingbo.
Additionally, Chicago is pursuing its first playoff appearance under this regime, and Judon’s veteran leadership could be appealing.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have long built their defenses around a dominant pass rush. That was expected again this season, but Nick Bosa has missed most of the year due to injury.
The 49ers have attempted to patch the issue, including trading for New England Patriots defensive lineman Keion White.
Those moves have not paid off. San Francisco ranks 32nd in the NFL in sacks and has struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
The 49ers are unlikely to win the division, but they will need a defensive boost if they hope to contend with the NFC’s high-powered offenses. Could they turn to another former Patriot to help fill that void?
