As the playoffs approach in December, imagine a pass-rushing group with Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, and Matthew Judon.
Aaron Wilson, an NFL reporter for Houston’s NBC TV affiliate KPRC, revealed earlier this week that the Miami Dolphins were in trade talks to get Judon from the New England Patriots before he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round pick.
Judon, who is 32 years old, is in the last year of a four-year contract with a salary cap hit of $6,735,294, according to OTC. The four-time Pro Bowl pass rusher was hoping for a contract extension. Despite the Patriots having $51 million in salary cap space, they couldn’t reach an agreement.
Judon only played four games last season due to a torn bicep. However, he had 19.5 sacks in the previous 21 games before his injury.
Earlier in the offseason, the Dolphins had about -$30 million in salary cap space. However, after extending Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, and Tyreek Hill, Miami now has $22 million to use, which they can also carry over to next season.
Chris Grier set up the team with enough flexibility to target unhappy players, and if the report is accurate — acquiring Judon would have been a great move, especially since Shaq Barrett’s retirement last month left a gap in that position.
Judon and the Falcons hadn’t discussed a new contract before the trade, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. While Judon wanted a new deal with the Patriots, there’s no certainty he’ll get one from the Falcons.
This uncertainty might have worked in Miami’s favor. They could have used Judon as a one-year player while letting another team handle his next contract. But if things went well on the field, the Dolphins could have kept him for a longer period.
Without the immediate worry of a contract extension, the Dolphins could have used Judon early in the season while Chubb and Phillips recovered from their injuries last year.
With Phillips nearing a new contract and Chubb already under a five-year, $110 million deal, Judon could have been a short-term fix or, with some roster changes, even a long-term option.
