The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into the 2026 offseason with no shortage of positions that need vast improvement. Near the top of the list is the edge rush after the Chiefs finished with only 35 sacks in the regular season (T-23rd).
With this in mind, the Chiefs have every reason to look for every possible improvement to the position, which includes veteran Matthew Judon, who recently hit free agency, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Judon might not be a star addition, but the edge rusher is within Kansas City's price range with the franchise projected to have minus-$62.3 million, according to OverTheCap. Those cap restrictions will force the Chiefs to seek an incredible draft class and to search free agency for potential bargains.
Judon unquestionably qualifies, having spent the last two years bouncing around the league without putting together an impressive season. A low-risk, fresh-start contract with the Chiefs could be exactly what he needs.
Matthew Judon Is the Perfect Offseason Target for Chiefs
Judon was released by the Miami Dolphins and added to the Buffalo Bills' practice squad, hitting free agency at the end of their playoff run. Now, the Chiefs have a chance to sign a defender with a career 72.0 sacks for next to nothing. While he'd be signed in hopes of breathing life back into his career, even the current version of Judon offers Kansas City value.
Star defensive lineman Chris Jones so badly needs help on the outside of the defensive line. Jones has watched his numbers slip each of the past two seasons, making it easy to point to the lack of edge presence that allows the opposing offensive line to focus all its attention on stopping Jones.
Bringing in Judon helps solve this issue, and at absolute worst, gives you a leader who can help develop any young pass rushers the Chiefs bring in. That's especially needed if George Karlaftis' production takes another step back.
Considering the Chiefs hold the ninth overall pick in this year's draft, a pass rusher may be what the franchise opts to add. Even then, there will be young defenders rostered that will benefit from Judon's presence. He is a proven winner, as well, making the playoffs with both the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots.
Four seasons throughout his career, Judon has played in the postseason, proving that the defender is a worthy addition even if he cannot turn back the clock. Perhaps the defensive genius of coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can breathe some life back into a career that is continuing to tilt in the wrong direction.
Judon's experience can help a cash-strapped Chiefs team, and if he can exceed those lowly expectations? Even better, making a potential signing something that must be on general manager Brett Veach's radar this offseason.