MIAMI, FL – The Miami Dolphins are making a significant move to bolster their defensive line, with four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Matthew Judon reportedly visiting the team on Monday, August 18, 2025. Sources indicate a mutual strong desire between Judon and the Dolphins to finalize a deal, signaling a clear intent by the Miami organization to enhance its pass-rushing capabilities ahead of the upcoming 2025 NFL season. This high-profile visit has ignited discussions across the Sports News landscape, highlighting the Dolphins’ proactive approach to team building.
Judon’s Illustrious Career and Recent Path
Matthew Judon, who turns 33 this week, boasts an impressive NFL career that began when he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Over his nine professional seasons, Judon has established himself as one of the league’s premier edge rushers, earning Pro Bowl selections from 2019 to 2022. His career totals include 72 sacks, 410 total tackles, and nine forced fumbles, along with one interception.
After five seasons with the Ravens, Judon joined the New England Patriots in 2021, where he continued his Pro Bowl form with notable sack production of 12.5 and 15.5 sacks in 2021 and 2022, respectively. His tenure with the Patriots, however, concluded somewhat abruptly. Following a torn lower bicep injury in Week 4 of the 2023 season that limited him to just four games (where he still managed four sacks), Judon entered 2024 in a contract year with New England. A prolonged contract dispute and an animated exchange with Patriots coach Jerod Mayo ultimately led to his trade to the Atlanta Falcons in August 2024 for a 2025 third-round pick. With the Falcons in the 2024 season, Judon appeared in all 17 games, making 15 starts, and recorded 5.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and one interception. While this was his lowest full-season sack total since his rookie year, he also dealt with hamstring issues.
Miami’s Pressing Defensive Needs
The Dolphins’ pursuit of Judon is no surprise, given their performance in the previous season. Miami’s pass rush ranked among the lowest in the NFL in 2024, registering just 35 sacks (27th in the league) despite a respectable 34.9% pressure rate. The team’s top edge rushers, Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, both faced significant injury setbacks in late 2023 and 2024. Phillips suffered an ACL tear in November 2024, and Chubb sustained a catastrophic knee injury in December 2023, missing the entirety of the 2024 season.
While both Phillips and Chubb are reportedly on track for healthy returns and have shown promise in training camp, and 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson impressed with six sacks as a rookie, adding a veteran presence like Judon provides crucial depth and a proven commodity. The Dolphins are looking for an immediate impact player who can complement their existing talent and reduce the burden on players returning from serious injuries, ensuring sustained pressure on opposing quarterbacks throughout the season.
Navigating the Salary Cap
The financial aspect of acquiring a player of Judon’s caliber is always a key consideration for the Miami Dolphins. The NFL’s projected salary cap for 2025 is expected to increase to between $277.5 million and $281.5 million, providing some additional flexibility. However, the Dolphins are currently navigating a challenging financial landscape. The team carries a significant dead cap charge exceeding $52 million for 2025, largely due to the Jalen Ramsey trade. They also have nine players with 2025 cap hits over $10 million, including Phillips and Chubb.
Despite these constraints, the Dolphins’ front office has demonstrated a willingness to make strategic moves to create cap space, including potential restructures of existing contracts. This commitment underscores their determination to assemble a competitive roster, even if it requires careful financial maneuvering. The reported mutual motivation to reach a deal suggests both sides are confident a mutually beneficial agreement can be found.
Potential Impact and Outlook
The potential addition of Matthew Judon would immediately elevate the Dolphins’ pass rush, transforming it from a unit with injury concerns and budding talent into one with formidable depth and veteran leadership. Judon’s experience and consistent production, even in a down year with the Falcons, make him an attractive target for a team that is clearly in a win-now mentality.
His ability to disrupt opposing offenses would undoubtedly aid a secondary that, despite some promising young players, didn’t undergo extensive rebuilding in the offseason. A more effective pass rush can mask deficiencies in coverage, giving defensive backs less time to guard receivers. This potential signing represents a calculated risk and a significant investment in the defensive side of the ball for the Dolphins as they prepare to contend in the highly competitive AFC East. The coming days will be critical as the Dolphins aim to solidify this pivotal addition in the ongoing News cycle.
