Dolphins Part Ways with Matt Judon: In a morning that reshaped the immediate future of the franchise, the Miami Dolphins have reportedly released veteran pass rusher Matt Judon.
While the news was quickly followed by the seismic announcement of Tua Tagovailoa’s benching in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers, the departure of Judon signals a clear and decisive pivot toward a youth movement in South Florida.
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Dolphins Part Ways with Matt Judon
The move, first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, comes as the Dolphins grapple with being eliminated from playoff contention following a Week 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A Short-Lived Stint in South Beach
Judon joined the Dolphins in August on a one-year deal, arriving with the pedigree of a four-time Pro Bowler intended to stabilize an edge rotation plagued by injuries. However, the 10-year veteran struggled to find his signature “red-sleeved” dominance in Anthony Weaver’s system.
- Appearances: 13 games (3 starts)
- Production: 19 total tackles, 3 quarterback hits, 1 tackle for loss
- Sacks: 0
Ultimately, the Dolphins decided that with three games remaining and no postseason in sight, those valuable defensive snaps were better served in the hands of the future.
The “Chop” Era Begins
The immediate beneficiary of this roster shakeup is 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson. While Judon’s veteran presence was respected, Robinson has shown flashes of elite explosiveness throughout the season.
By releasing Judon now, the Dolphins are effectively “doing him a favor”—allowing the 33-year-old to clear waivers and potentially sign with a playoff-bound contender in need of situational pass-rush depth—while simultaneously handing the keys to Robinson.
Alongside Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips (who returned from a 2024 ACL tear earlier this year), the Dolphins are betting on a younger, faster, and more versatile front seven to lead the 2026 rebuild.
Why Now? The Big Picture
The release of Judon is not an isolated incident; it is a symptom of a total organizational reset. Within the same hour, reports surfaced that:
- Tua Tagovailoa has been benched.
- Quinn Ewers will start the remainder of the season.
- The team is prioritizing evaluation over veteran stability.
With Judon’s contract featuring a void year and no compensatory pick likely for Miami, there was little incentive to keep him on the roster through a meaningless December stretch.
What’s Next for Judon?
As a respected veteran with 72 career sacks, Judon won’t stay on the market for long. Teams like the New England Patriots (for a reunion) or contenders looking for experienced depth in the trenches will likely be monitoring the waiver wire closely.
For Miami, the message is loud and clear: The future is officially here.
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