Right before the 2024 season, the Atlanta Falcons struck a deal with the New England Patriots to bring in accomplished pass rusher Matthew Judon. It was a bit of a surprise that the franchise opted not to extend the veteran after spending a Day 2 pick in the deal. However, this decision would age well with Judon not having the expected production, being reduced to a handful of cleanup sacks, and struggling in Atlanta's defensive scheme.
Turning the page didn't come as a surprise with Atlanta bringing in a trio of new options in Leonard Floyd, Jalen Walker, and James Pearce Jr. It appears to be an obvious upgrade, although the results are still to be decided with only one week in the books. For Judon, however, the situation from a season ago is quickly looking far more enticing. Judon signed a deal with the Miami Dolphins late in the offseason, one that the defender has to be feeling instant regret over after a hilarious Week 1 result.
Former Falcons Pass Rusher Matthew Judon Instantly Regretting Offseason Decision
Judon recorded only one tackle in his Miami debut and could only helplessly watch as the Dolphins were blown off the field by the Colts with a final 33-8 score, not doing the level of domination justice. Nothing went right for the Dolphins offensively, and the team's defense was helpless to slow down Daniel Jones and the Indy offense. There are few things in the league quite as humbling as getting blown out by a team quarterbacked by Jones.
There is a reason why New York turned the page a season ago, not long after opting to pay Jones instead of Saquon Barkley. A decision that is going to live in sports infamy, no matter what either player accomplishes from here. With this in mind, it is obvious that Judon has jumped on a sinking ship with the Miami head coach making headlines for all the wrong reasons, and a star receiver in Tyreek Hill, who already quit on the Dolphins at the end of the 2024 season.
Rarely has there been a team with this ugly body language, with every sign pointing to a complete mess of a 2025 season. Miami's defense getting blown off the field should be the final straw for an ownership group that has been stuck in neutral for the past two seasons.
It is obvious your best player in Hill doesn't appear to want to be there, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa cannot blame an injury for this pitiful performance. It is frustrating all around for a group that should make Atlanta fans feel far better about their own Week 1 loss.
Judon has jumped from one struggling team to the next throughout the last three years, with this team having the potential to be the worst of them all. Miami's lack of defensive talent, combined with the ugly start to the season, likely dooms the franchise and Judon to another frustrating season.