Getting into December’s playoff push with a pass-rushing unit of Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, and Matthew Judon — may you think about?
Aaron Wilson, NFL reporter for Houston’s NBC TV affiliate KPRC, shared earlier this week that the Miami Dolphins had been concerned in commerce talks to amass Judon from the New England Patriots earlier than he was dealt to the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round choose.
Judon, 32, is coming into the ultimate 12 months of a four-year contract with a wage cap hit of $6,735,294, in response to OTC. The four-time Professional Bowl go rusher hoped to land a contract extension, and regardless of the Patriots having $51 million in obtainable house, the 2 sides couldn’t attain an settlement.
Judon solely appeared in 4 video games final season as a consequence of a torn bicep. Nonetheless, he recorded 19.5 sacks throughout the earlier 21 video games earlier than the damage.
It’s vital to notice that the Dolphins had roughly -$30 million in wage cap house earlier this offseason, however months later — after extending Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, and Tyreek — Miami has $22 million to work with, which they might additionally roll over to subsequent season.
Chris Grier positioned the franchise with sufficient flexibility to pursue disgruntled gamers, and if the report is true — buying Judon would have been a home-run addition, particularly contemplating Shaq Barrett’s choice to retire final month left a void on the place.
Judon and the Falcons hadn’t mentioned a brand new contract earlier than the commerce, in response to NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero. Whereas Judon needed a brand new take care of the Patriots, there’s no assure he’ll get one from the Falcons both.
This uncertainty may have performed to Miami’s benefit. They might have used Judon as a one-year rental, permitting one other crew to deal with his subsequent contract. But when the whole lot clicked on the sector, the Dolphins may’ve stored him for the lengthy haul.
With out the speedy concern of a contract extension, the Dolphins would’ve relied on Judon early within the season whereas Chubb and Phillips labored their method again from final 12 months’s accidents.
As Phillips nears a brand new contract and Chubb stays beneath a five-year, $110 million deal, Judon may have been a short-term answer or, with some roster changes, even a long-term possibility.
You may by no means have too many go rushers on the roster and Grier has managed the wage cap effectively sufficient that the Dolphins can have a seat on the desk when a participant is on the transfer. Simply because they will, although, doesn’t imply they need to.
Miami has the money up entrance to make a transfer however needless to say it’s additionally $38 million over the 2025 wage cap — and must determine if it’s okay to let younger defenders like Phillips and Jevon Holland develop into free brokers on the finish of this season. On high of that, the Dolphins couldn’t match Atlanta’s provide as a result of they despatched their third-round choose to the Philadelphia Eagles to maneuver up and choose Tennessee operating again Jaylen Wright within the fourth spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Contemplating the tight window to capitalize on a Tremendous Bowl run, the Dolphins’ entrance workplace deserves credit score for staying aggressive and exploring potential additions like Judon. Nonetheless, with restricted draft capital and a decent wage cap, any addition should be rigorously thought of to make sure it’s the proper match.