As the December playoffs near, envision a pass-rushing unit featuring Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, and Matthew Judon.
Earlier this week, NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, from Houston’s NBC affiliate KPRC, disclosed that the Miami Dolphins were in trade discussions to acquire Judon from the New England Patriots before he was ultimately traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round pick.
Judon, 32, is in the final year of a four-year contract with a $6.7 million cap hit, according to OTC. Despite being a four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher, and with the Patriots having $51 million in cap space, they couldn’t agree on a contract extension.
Last season, Judon only appeared in four games due to a torn bicep, but he had previously recorded 19.5 sacks in the 21 games before his injury.
Earlier in the offseason, the Dolphins were about $30 million over the cap. However, after extending Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, and Tyreek Hill, Miami now has $22 million in cap space, which they could carry into next season.
Chris Grier has set up the Dolphins with enough flexibility to pursue dissatisfied players, and if the report is accurate, acquiring Judon would have been a significant move, especially after Shaq Barrett’s retirement last month left a void at the position.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Judon and the Falcons hadn’t discussed a new contract before the trade. Although Judon sought a new deal with the Patriots, there’s no guarantee he’ll get one from the Falcons.
This uncertainty could have played to Miami’s advantage. They could have utilized Judon as a one-year player, leaving another team to negotiate his next contract. If he performed well, the Dolphins might have considered keeping him longer.
With Chubb and Phillips recovering from injuries last year, Judon could have provided an immediate impact early in the season. Depending on how things unfolded, he could have been either a short-term solution or, with some roster adjustments, even a long-term option.
