Matt Judon will stay within the AFC East after being waived by the Dolphins on Wednesday. After a visit to Buffalo on Friday, the veteran defensive end has agreed to hitch the Bills’ practice squad, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Bills are Judon’s fifth different NFL team and fourth since 2023. After spending 2023 with the Patriots and 2024 with the Falcons, Judon signed with the Dolphins in August and took on a secondary role in Miami’s edge rushing rotation. Even after seeing an uptick in playing time after the Jaelan Phillips trade, the 10-year veteran recorded just 19 tackles, one tackle for loss, and nil sacks in 13 games. Those numbers represent a major and alarming drop for a 33-year-old edge rusher whose production had already waned in the previous couple of years. Judon’s 10 pressures and 4.2% pass rush win rate aren’t any more encouraging; he ranks among the many league’s worst NFL edge rushers in each category, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Accordingly, no team claimed Judon off waivers, though the remaining money on his contract was also a disincentive. It didn’t take much time for him to seek out a brand new home, and Buffalo is smart as a destination. The Bills are still inside striking distance of the AFC East crown, the No. 1 seed within the playoffs, and a Super Bowl. In addition they have a history of picking up veteran edge rushers later of their profession. First it was an over-aggressive contract for Von Miller in 2022 before a more sensible take care of Joey Bosa this past offseason. The latter pact has quickly borne fruit; Bosa leads the Bills with five sacks and eight tackles for loss on the yr.
The Bills also needed some depth after multiple defensive position injuries this season. On the sting, rookie Landon Jackson and veteran Michael Hoecht are each on injured reserve, as are defensive tackles Ed Oliver and DeWayne Carter. Judon will not be pressed into motion instantly, but additional injuries could make him relevant within the postseason.