Ravens Weighing Options as Pass Rush Struggles Continue-But a Matthew Judon Reunion May Not Be the Answer
With just three weeks left in the regular season, the Baltimore Ravens find themselves teetering on the edge of the AFC playoff picture. They’re one game out of a postseason spot heading into Week 16, but make no mistake-this is a team still trying to find its identity on both sides of the ball.
Let’s start with the offense, where the issues begin up front. The offensive line has struggled all season, and the interior has been particularly problematic.
Guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele have had a tough time keeping the pocket clean, and that’s put Lamar Jackson under pressure far too often. When your franchise quarterback is constantly dodging defenders before he can even look downfield, sustained offensive rhythm becomes nearly impossible.
That’s been the story for Baltimore’s attack-flashes of brilliance, but too many drives derailed before they get going.
On the flip side, the defense has started to come alive after a rocky start. Over the past few weeks, that unit has become the driving force behind Baltimore’s late-season push.
But even with the improvement, one glaring issue remains: the pass rush. Yes, the Ravens turned in one of their best performances of the year in last week’s win over the Bengals, but consistency has been elusive.
One good game doesn’t fix a season-long problem.
That’s why Wednesday’s news out of Miami raised some eyebrows in Baltimore. The Dolphins released veteran outside linebacker Matthew Judon-a name that rings familiar in Ravens circles.
Judon spent five seasons in Baltimore and was a key piece of the defense before heading to New England and, more recently, Miami. The idea of a reunion sounds good on paper.
But does it actually make sense?
Judon’s 2025 Season Tells the Story
Judon is a respected veteran with 72 career sacks, but the production just hasn’t been there this season. In 13 games and 337 defensive snaps, he’s failed to record a single sack. That’s not just a slump-that’s a sign that the 33-year-old may be hitting the wall.
Financially, bringing Judon back wouldn’t be a major burden. He’s owed roughly $427,000 for the remainder of the year, a manageable number for a team with playoff aspirations. But the question isn’t whether the Ravens can afford him-it’s whether they should make room for him in a crowded outside linebacker rotation.
A Crowded Depth Chart and Limited Snaps
With Tavius Robinson returning from injury, the Ravens’ edge rotation is already tight. Dre’Mont Jones, Mike Green, and Kyle Van Noy are all logging heavy snaps, and Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr has been leaning on that group to carry the load. Adding Judon would mean taking reps away from someone-and right now, that someone would likely be David Ojabo.
Ojabo, who’s been working his way into the rotation, is starting to show signs of progress. Over the last four games, he’s notched three quarterback hurries, five tackles, and has posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 62.7 or better in three of those contests. He’s also contributing on special teams-something that always matters in a John Harbaugh-led locker room.
So if the Ravens were to bring Judon back, it would probably have to be through the practice squad-assuming he clears waivers. That would give them the flexibility to elevate him on gamedays if needed, without disrupting the current rotation too much. But even then, it’s hard to justify taking valuable snaps away from a young player like Ojabo, who’s trending in the right direction.
A Lateral Move at Best
At this point, adding Judon feels more like a lateral move than a solution. The Ravens’ pass rush needs a spark, but Judon hasn’t shown this season that he’s capable of providing it. And with the playoff race tightening, Baltimore can’t afford to gamble on nostalgia.
That said, if he clears waivers and is willing to join the practice squad, there could be value in having a veteran presence around-especially one who knows the system and the culture. But unless injuries strike or the pass rush completely collapses, the most likely scenario is that the Ravens stick with the group they have.
Baltimore’s defense is trending in the right direction. The offense still needs to clean things up, especially up front. And while the idea of a Judon homecoming might tug at the heartstrings, the Ravens are focused on what helps them win now-not what feels good on paper.