Matthew Judon Ready to Prove He’s Not Done Yet

Matthew Judon knows what people are saying. At 33, coming off a disappointing stint in Atlanta, some wonder if his best days are behind him. But standing in the Miami Dolphins facility this past Wednesday before the final preseason game, wearing aqua and orange for the first time, Judon had fire in his voice that suggested otherwise.

“It ain’t about coming down here and enjoying myself and relaxing,” Judon said after his first practice. “I had enough time while everybody was at camp to relax and view. It’s about the work I put in.”

There is something almost defiant in how Judon talks about his late arrival to Miami. While other veterans were settling into routines weeks ago, he was waiting. Not by choice, the business side of football rarely cares about a player’s timeline.

The Journey To South Beach for Matthew Judon 

The four-time Pro Bowler’s path to Miami reads like a cautionary tale about NFL shelf life. Five solid seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, including back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2019 and 2020. Two stellar years with New England, racking up 28 sacks and two more Pro Bowl selections. Then came the biceps injury that wiped out most of 2023, followed by a contract dispute that soured his relationship with the Patriots.

Atlanta seemed like a fresh start last season, but 5.5 sacks told a different story. The Falcons moved on quickly, leaving Judon in limbo as training camps opened across the league. “As you’ll find out in this league, it ain’t really about the players, it’s about the organization,” Judon said with the wisdom of someone who’s learned the hard way. “The organization has to see a want and see fit for you.”

Finding His Place Among Miami’s Pass Rush Elite

What makes Judon’s situation in Miami intriguing isn’t just his talent. It is how he fits into an already loaded pass rush rotation. Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips have established themselves as legitimate threats. Rookie Chop Robinson is generating buzz. Even Defensive Tackle Zach Sieler can get after the quarterback. For some veterans, walking into that situation might feel threatening. Judon sees opportunity.

“I don’t have to come in here and be the guy right away,” he said, showing a maturity that comes from understanding his role. “I can let those guys go out and do what they do, and I can just plug and play.”

That approach impressed teammates immediately. Phillips and Chubb, who know Judon from around the league, watched him seamlessly integrate into practice drills. There were no ego clashes, no attempts to prove dominance. Just work.

The Matthew Judon Factor

Here is what opposing offensive coordinators are probably losing sleep over: how do you game-plan for four legitimate pass rushers? He understands the math better than anyone. “You can’t game-plan nobody,” he said with the confidence of someone who’s spent a decade making quarterbacks uncomfortable. “If you got to chip both ends, that’s great for us.”

The Dolphins signed Judon to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million on essentially a prove-it contract for both sides. Miami gets a veteran presence without major risk. The veteran gets a chance to resurrect his career with a team that has playoff aspirations.

Beyond the Numbers

When asked how he went from Division II Grand Valley State to 72 career NFL sacks, Judon’s answer was pure emotion: “I’m a dawg, boy.” That swagger, that belief in himself despite the doubters, is what Miami is betting on. Not the player who struggled in Atlanta, but the one who terrorized AFC East quarterbacks for years. The vacation destination jokes write themselves when a veteran signs with Miami. Judon isn’t having it. He came to Florida for one reason: to prove he is not done. The beaches can wait.