The Jacksonville Jaguars are 10-4 and looking to finish the season strong. Just before Week 16, they made a couple of roster tweaks at receiver and linebacker. The team's brass should next turn its attention to the pass rush.
The pass rush has caught fire after a slow start to the season, with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker playing at a high level in recent weeks. That said, their rotation could still use a boost, and the Miami Dolphins may have just made an intriguing option available.
The Dolphins just made Matt Judon available
Having been knocked out of playoff contention, the Dolphins just announced that they've released pass rusher Matt Judon. This doesn't come as a surprise when you take into account that he didn't do much of note during his stint in South Florida. Then again, Miami has not gotten particularly great play in the defensive trenches this season, so the four-time Pro Bowl nod could flourish with a change of scenery.
The #Dolphins are releasing veteran pass rusher Matt Judon, sources tell The Insiders. Judon appeared in 13 games this season for Miami and could be an option for playoff teams looking for a veteran presence. pic.twitter.com/Fq2xAEioLo
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) December 17, 2025
Like any other player who's released after the NFL tradeline, Judon will be subject to waivers. If nobody claims him, he'll become a free agent. Either way, he'll probably garner interest from teams in position to make the playoffs. It wouldn't hurt the Jags to kick the tires on him.
A fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft, Judon spent five years with the Baltimore Ravens before signing with the New England Patriots in 2021. After three years in Foxboro, the Grand Valley State product joined the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 before landing with the Phins this season. In 114 career games with 100 starts, he has 72 sacks.
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The Jaguars need to take a flyer on Matt Judon
Under general manager James Gladstone, the Jaguars haven't passed up the chance to address the larger scale roster. Just before the NFL trade deadline, they added reinforcements at receiver and cornerback. Now that they have a chance, the Jags shouldn't hesitate to bolster the pass rush.
Sure, Matthew Judon hasn't been particularly effective this season. In fact, he didn't register a single sack before he walked the plank. Having said that, he wouldn't have a featured role in Jacksonville. Instead, he would be a rotational piece behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.
Sure, the Jags have Danny Striggow and B.J. Green II in the fold. However, they could use depth at defensive end when you take into account that veteran Emmanuel Ogbah hasn't been particularly effective, and Dawuane Smoot has gotten more playing time inside in recent weeks.
It's also worth noting that Hines-Allen and Striggow missed practice the Wednesday ahead of the Broncos game. Regardless of their availability or lack thereof for Week 16, Judon could provide depth. Maybe not this week, but the remainder of the season.
The Jaguars defense is clicking in all cylinders ahead of Week 16, but that shouldn't deter them from giving Matt Judon a look. He could turn out to be a low-risk, high-reward kind of pickup.