Steelers Eye Matthew Judon as Potential Depth Amid Injury Concerns at EDGE
The Miami Dolphins have officially released veteran edge rusher Matthew Judon, placing him on waivers and opening the door for a potential late-season move. And with the Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly thin at outside linebacker, the timing couldn’t be more intriguing.
Judon, a four-time Pro Bowler known for his high-motor play and disruptive presence off the edge, hasn’t put up the numbers this season that fans are used to seeing. But his track record speaks for itself - 72 career sacks over a decade in the league is no small feat. He’s been a consistent producer when healthy, and while he may not be the same player who terrorized quarterbacks in his prime, there’s still gas left in the tank.
And right now, the Steelers could use every drop of it.
After a gutsy win over the Dolphins on Monday night, Pittsburgh is staring down a critical stretch of the season with their playoff hopes still alive - but their linebacker room is in rough shape. T.J.
Watt is sidelined with a partially collapsed lung, and Nick Herbig is dealing with an undisclosed injury that could keep him out this week. That leaves rookie Jack Sawyer as the next man up, and while the youngster has flashed potential, tossing him into a starting role without veteran help is a big ask.
Enter Judon.
The Steelers just spent a full week preparing for him. They saw him on tape, studied his tendencies, and likely have a good sense of what he still brings to the table. That kind of familiarity can go a long way when evaluating a midseason addition - especially one who might be asked to contribute immediately.
Judon also fits what Pittsburgh likes in their edge defenders: physical, scheme-savvy, and experienced. He’s played in multiple fronts and understands the nuances of pass-rush lanes and run fits. He wouldn’t need to be a star - just a steady hand who can give them 20-30 quality snaps if Watt and Herbig can’t go.
Let’s be clear: claiming Judon off waivers won’t magically fix the Steelers’ defensive depth. But it could stabilize a position group that’s taken some heavy hits. Even if it’s just for a week or two, having a proven vet in the rotation could ease the load on Sawyer and keep the defense from having to overcompensate elsewhere.
And with the Lions on deck - a team that boasts one of the league’s top offensive lines - Pittsburgh needs every edge it can get. Literally.
The Steelers have already made some roster tweaks in recent weeks, shuffling names like Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in and out of the mix. Adding Judon would be in line with that aggressive, win-now mindset. At this point in the season, every move matters, and there’s little room for error when you’re chasing a playoff spot.
Judon may not be the game-wrecker he once was, but he’s still a smart, tough, battle-tested pro who knows how to get after the quarterback. If the Steelers put in a claim, it wouldn’t just be about filling a roster spot - it would be about sending a message that they’re still in this fight, and they’re not backing down.
Whether he ends up in black and gold remains to be seen. But don’t be surprised if Pittsburgh makes a move. They’ve seen what Judon can do - and right now, they need someone who can do it.