Matthew Judon can’t seem to find a permanent team since the New England Patriots traded him in 2024. He went from being a standout defender as a true veteran to a player who is now on his fourth team in the last three years.
The Patriots traded Judon after they were unable to agree on contract negotiations in the first offseason without longtime head coach and GM Bill Belichick, who initially signed Judon in 2021 to a $56 million contract as an unrestricted free agent.
Since 2024, Judon spent a season with the Atlanta Falcons and 13 games with the Miami Dolphins this season before they released the veteran after what is currently a career-worst season for him this year. He has 19 tackles and zero sacks this season.
This past week, however, Judon was released by the Dolphins and is reportedly set to join the Buffalo Bills' practice squad after he cleared waivers, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
On Friday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared that the Bills hosted Judon for a tryout just days after he became available as a free agent.
Judon is set to join the 10-4 Bills, who’s only behind the 11-3 Patriots in the division. This move from the Bills is reminiscent of the 2021 mid-season trade of veteran Von Miller from the Denver Broncos to the Los Angeles Rams, which the Rams went on to win the Super Bowl that year.
Former Patriots LB Joins Division Rival Ahead of Playoffs
Although Judon is having a down year, he still has some gas left in the tank. Just last season, Judon finished with 41 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and his first career interception in 17 games with the Falcons. It hasn't been too long since he’s had a productive season.
The addition of Judon could instantly strengthen the struggling Buffalo defense. Against the Patriots in Week 15, the Bills went into halftime down 24-7, but then they went on to only allow one touchdown in the entire second half. On the season, the Bills’ defense is giving up 143.1 rushing yards per game, which is the third-most in the NFL this season.
The division rivals, Patriots and Bills already played against each other twice this season, going 1-1 in the regular season. The tiebreaker for the season would be decided during the playoffs, which could take place in a few weeks.
Judon spent three seasons with New England from 2021-23, where he played some of the best football of his career. He was a two-time Pro Bowler who racked up 133 tackles and 33 sacks with 62 hits on the quarterback in 38 games.
It'll be interesting to see if he gets elevated to the 53 man roster in Buffalo and gets to make an impact down the final stretch.