Arlington, Texas, December 18, 2025 — Just hours after the Miami Dolphins waived veteran edge rusher Matthew Judon on December 17, 2025, the Dallas Cowboys are among the NFL contenders
closely monitoring the waiver wire for a potential claim. Judon, a four‑time Pro Bowler with a decade of experience, suddenly finds himself available late in the 2025 season — and teams like Dallas are evaluating whether adding him could impact their defensive mix.
The 33‑year‑old Judon had a decorated career that peaked with the New England Patriots, where he recorded multiple double‑digit sack seasons, including 12.5 in 2021 and 15.5 in 2022. Following that stretch, he spent a year with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 and signed a one‑year contract with the Dolphins in 2025, where he struggled to make an impact — finishing the season with 19 tackles, one tackle for loss and
no sacks before his release.
Why Dallas is Interested
The Cowboys’ defense has remained one of the NFL’s most talented units, but with late‑season attrition and the absence of former star Micah Parsons — who suffered a season‑ending ACL injury after being traded to the Green Bay Packers — Dallas faces challenges maintaining consistent pressure from the edge.
If claimed, Judon could provide rotational depth behind established Cowboys edge rushers like James Houston IV, who has made a significant impact this season with double‑digit sacks, and Jadeveon Clowney
, who has brought veteran presence to Dallas’ defensive front.
Roster Fit and Defensive Impact
Dallas has traditionally relied on a strong front seven to set the tone on defense. With Parsons no longer available and capable rushers already contributing, Judon’s value as a
situational pass‑rushing veteran — especially on third downs — could be appealing. However, his production in Miami this season raises legitimate questions about whether he can be an immediate impact player.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer (if still in role) and the front office will weigh the benefits of adding Judon — including his leadership and playoff experience — against the risk of taking on a veteran with limited recent production. Whether Dallas claims Judon will depend on
waiver priority and roster needs, as other contenders are also expected to pursue him.
What’s Next
As Judon passes through the waiver process, the Cowboys will watch closely. With three games left in the regular season, Dallas still harbors postseason aspirations, and bolstering a defense missing one of its former stars would be welcomed — especially if the team can integrate a seasoned pass rusher to take pressure off younger players.
For now, the story remains unconfirmed whether Judon will land with Dallas or another contender. But his availability has already generated buzz across NFL circles, and the waiver outcome may reveal more about how teams value veteran edge rushers in the heat of the playoff race.
Detroit Lions facing an unimaginable scenario
The Detroit Lions are facing an unimaginable scenario against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. At the beginning of the season, Detroit never imagined the team wouldn’t make the 2025 NFC playoffs.
Detroit Lions facing an unimaginable scenario
While a playoff berth is still within reach, the team no longer controls its own destiny. The grim reality is that with only seven NFC teams making the playoffs, the Lions are on the bubble at No. 8.
Detroit’s playoff fortunes depend upon either the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers or Chicago Bears losing two or more of their final games.
However, the Seahawks’ amazing overtime victory on Thursday night reduces their likelihood of a two-game loss. The probability of Detroit making the playoffs depends upon the Lions achieving a higher winning record and holding the right combination of tiebreakers. For example, if the Bears and Packers tie in their game on Saturday night, the Lions are automatically eliminated with a loss against Pittsburgh.
Step 1: Lions must beat Pittsburgh
Beating Pittsburgh is the only thing the Lions are focused on right now. However, as Dan Campbell told the team, “Yeah, go to work. Go back to work.” He cautioned the team against getting caught up in the “what if” scenarios involving other teams. Instead, he urged, “So, keep putting the work in, the focus, the detail, and trust the guy next to you is going to do his job. You do your job, do it the very best you can do it, and let’s go find a way to win a game.”
Detroit has the advantage over Pittsburgh on paper. Despite the Lions’ up-and-down season, Jared Goff has been playing at an exceptionally high rate, completing 3,672 yards with 29 touchdowns and five interceptions. His QB rating is over 110.4, second in the league, behind only Matthew Stafford. Aaron Rodgers’ QB rating is 98.8, 11th in the league. Rodgers has completed 248 of 371 attempts for 2,594 yards, 22 scores and seven interceptions.
Although problematic this season, the Lions offensive line has improved and is better at protecting Goff.
According to OC John Morton, “It comes down to making sure we’re doing the right techniques, being disciplined with the way we set, the way we pick up, the way we ID, and we’ve done a good job, and we’re getting the ball out. We have to do that, and Jared’s really good at finding where to go with the ball right away.”
Lions defense can win against Pittsburgh and Aaron Rodgers
Describing the challenge of playing Rodgers, Campbell talked about his quick release and accuracy.
“He plays fast. He plays fast, and he’s accurate. I mean, he’s always had the accuracy,” Campbell said, per the Steelers’ website. “He’s got such a quick release. I mean, he can process it like that. And it’s with a flick of the wrist, the thing is in the receiver’s hands at a perfect location to where they can do damage once they get it into their hands. So, that has gone nowhere, his ability to get it out and play fast is still there, very much there.”
However, Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard recently noted Rodgers’ tendency to be more stagnant and stationary in the pocket. “Probably the biggest difference is he used to get out on the perimeter with his legs, and he wouldn’t mind taking a hit or two here and there…, he’s not taking those hits anymore.”
In 2022, Aidan Hutchinson intercepted Rodgers end-zone pass to offensive tackle David Bakhtiari. Hutchinson would go on to nab two more interceptions that season. This past week, Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad just set a new franchise record as the first Lions defensive duo to each log 9.0 sacks in a season. They’ll look to increase that number on Sunday.
Pittsburgh relies more heavily on its passing game than its ground game for scoring. Therefore, disrupting Rodgers’ delivery to favorite targets D.K. Metcalf and Pat Freiermuth is crucial to the Lions’ success. Earlier this week, Sheppard acknowledged planned changes designed to improve the Lions’ secondary performance, which will undoubtedly help that effort.
Detroit must get the Lions tandem run game going
The Lions have one of the NFL’s most explosive game-altering running backs in Jahmyr Gibbs. But Detroit also has the most talented running back duo in the NFL. The Lions offense is at its best when David Montgomery plays a bigger role. In Week 3, against the Baltimore Ravens, Montgomery had his best game this season, recording 151 yards on 12 carries with two touchdowns.
Two weeks later, against the Cincinnati Bengals, Montgomery notched 18 carries for 65 yards with one touchdown and one reception for six yards. In Week 10, playing against the Washington Commanders, he didn’t score a touchdown. However, Montgomery recorded 71 yards on 15 rushes, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Detroit won all three of these games, with Montgomery as the common denominator.
In the last three weeks, despite playing limited snaps, Montgomery scored a rushing touchdown in every game. Simply put, the Lions stand a better chance of winning games when using both Gibbs and Montgomery. In a perfect scenario, if both are on the field at the same time, it splits the defensive coverage, potentially leaving one player open to score.
The Lions’ premier passing attack
Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the league’s premier receivers. With 94 receptions for 1,140 yards and 11 touchdowns through Week 15, St. Brown is heading toward his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl season. But this season, Jameson Williams is also garnering his share of acclaim. Together, the two are an elite combination of consistency, speed and reliability. Williams has 52 receptions for 936 yards and seven scores. This will be his second consecutive 1,000-yard season.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Campbell was full of praise for Williams’ growing maturity, improved route running, and his understanding of the offense.
“He’s grown so much…He’s a pro — the way he works, the way he digests the game plan, what it means to him…. He’s just taken off…When you’ve got the athletic ability he has, and the other things begin to come in — the discipline of your route depth… and how you stop and where you come back to the quarterback, what Goff wants, what we’re looking for, all these things…And with his speed and ability to stop, it makes it very difficult. So, he’s grown a ton. I’m proud of him.”
A must-win game for the Lions
Detroit must win the next three games. This Lions team is at its best with their backs against the wall. Campbell’s team hasn’t lost back-to-back games since 2022. As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Lions as seven-point favorites over the Steelers. First, get the win against Pittsburgh.
After that, the Lions can look forward to feasting on Christmas with a win against the Minnesota Vikings.