Dolphins acquire Judon to enhance pass rush

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Dolphins have finalized a one-year deal with outside linebacker Matthew Judon on Monday, a source told ESPN.

The agreement is valued at as much as $6 million, according to various reports.

Judon toured the team’s facility on Monday, sparking rumors regarding a possible long-term injury to one of the Dolphins’ leading pass rushers. When addressing reporters Monday afternoon, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated that the team’s pursuit of Judon was not connected to any injury involving Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, or Bradley Chubb.

Grayson Murphy and Derrick McLendon have both made notable performances during the team’s two preseason contests.

However, Judon’s acquisition makes logical sense for a Dolphins squad whose pass rush depth has been challenged in each of the last two seasons.

Last year, the Dolphins finished 27th in the NFL with 35 sacks — 16 of which were recorded by Robinson and defensive tackle Zach Sieler. Meanwhile, Chubb missed the entirety of the 2024 season, and Phillips played in only four games.

Atlanta Falcons. This was his first year returning from a torn biceps injury that limited him to just four games in 2023. Before that, Judon had been among the league’s top pass rushers, notching 15.5 sacks in 2022 and 12.5 in 2021. He is a four-time Pro Bowler.

Judon registered four sacks in his last seven games with Atlanta, while participating in just 59% of the team’s defensive snaps. He ranked fourth on the team in quarterback pressures (29).

He was traded to the Falcons last season from the New England Patriots for a 2025 third-round pick on Aug. 19, 2024. The outside linebacker had been practicing with the Patriots during training camp after a brief hiatus from the team due to a contract disagreement.

He has accumulated 72 career sacks over nine seasons.

ESPN’s Marc Raimondi contributed to this report.