The New England Patriots traded four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday. But the Miami Dolphins reportedly wanted to keep Judon in the AFC East.
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston, the Dolphins and Chicago Bears were in trade talks with the Patriots before a deal with Atlanta eventually got done.
It’s neither surprising that the Dolphins would be interested in a veteran pass rusher, nor is it a shock that the Patriots decided to send Judon elsewhere. With Jaelan Phillips still easing his way back from an Achilles tear and Bradley Chubb on the PUP list, the Dolphins may need to lean on Emmanuel Ogbah and first-round rookie Chop Robinson early in the year.
Miami signed veteran Shaquil Barrett earlier in the year, but the former Denver Broncos and Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass rusher abruptly retired just before training camp.
But even though a deal to acquire Judon to fill that void makes plenty of sense for the Dolphins, it’s not surprising that the Patriots don’t want the veteran pass rusher coming after their quarterbacks anytime soon — let alone twice a year.
Judon, 32, has 66.5 sacks in eight career seasons, but missed most of the 2023 season after suffering a biceps tear. He’s recorded 10 career tackles for loss against the Dolphins, more than his total against any other team.
