The Buffalo Bills are making it clear: they’re not just content with a playoff berth-they’re pushing all the way toward February football. And on Friday, they made a low-risk, high-upside move that could pay dividends when it matters most.
According to reports, the Bills are set to sign veteran edge rusher Matthew Judon to their practice squad, a savvy depth addition as the postseason looms. Judon visited with the team earlier in the day, and while his most recent stint with the Dolphins didn’t make headlines, the potential upside here is worth a closer look.
Judon’s NFL journey is one of grit and production. A fifth-round pick out of Division II Grand Valley State back in 2016, he carved out a name for himself with the Baltimore Ravens.
Over five seasons in Baltimore, Judon racked up 34.5 sacks in 76 games and earned two Pro Bowl nods. He was a reliable force off the edge, blending power and technique in a way that made him a constant problem for opposing tackles.
But it was in New England where Judon truly hit his stride. Over two standout seasons with the Patriots, he posted back-to-back Pro Bowl campaigns, registering 12.0 sacks in his first year and then exploding for 15.5 the next. At his peak, Judon was one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the league-relentless, physical, and smart.
Injuries slowed him down in his final season with the Patriots, and while he showed flashes in 2024 with the Falcons (5.5 sacks), his recent stint in Miami was quieter. He appeared in 13 games for the Dolphins this season but didn’t record a sack and logged just one tackle for loss.
Still, this isn’t a move about past performance-it’s about potential impact in the present. The Bills already boast a strong edge rotation, but adding a veteran like Judon gives them a chance to bolster their pass rush with playoff-tested experience. At 33, he’s not expected to carry the load, but if he can give Buffalo a handful of meaningful snaps per game-especially in key third-down or late-game situations-that could swing a drive, a game, or even a postseason outcome.
And let’s be honest: this is a classic low-risk, high-reward play. If Judon doesn’t have much left in the tank, the Bills haven’t sacrificed anything significant to bring him in. But if he can tap into even a fraction of what made him a Pro Bowl force in New England, this could be a sneaky-good addition at exactly the right time.
Buffalo’s front office has made it clear-they’re not standing pat. They see a window, and they’re doing everything they can to maximize it.
Adding Judon now is a bet on experience, upside, and postseason depth. And as we’ve seen time and again in January, sometimes those under-the-radar moves make all the difference.