The Miami Dolphins are continuing their offseason overhaul, and the latest major move is the release of two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Multiple reports, including from Tom Pelissero and Jordan Schultz, confirmed that Miami is parting ways with the veteran pass rusher as the franchise reshapes its roster under a new regime.
Chubb, 29, started all 17 games last season after missing the entire 2024 campaign with a torn ACL. He finished 2025 with 47 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles, leading the team in sacks and proving he could still be a disruptive presence off the edge. In his two full seasons with Miami (2023 and 2025), he totaled 20 sacks and eight forced fumbles.
Why the Dolphins Released Bradley Chubb
This move wasn’t about production; it was about finances and direction.
After restructuring his contract last offseason, Chubb was scheduled to carry a $31.2 million cap hit in 2026. For a team entering what appears to be a full rebuild, that number simply didn’t make sense. By releasing him, Miami saves roughly $7.3 million against the cap, though they’ll absorb nearly $24 million in dead money unless the move receives a post-June 1 designation. If designated post-June 1, the Dolphins could save more than $20 million in 2026 while spreading the dead cap across the next two seasons.
Chubb joined Miami at the 2022 trade deadline after being acquired from the Denver Broncos and quickly signed a five-year, $110 million extension. He delivered 22 sacks in 41 games with the Dolphins, but with a new head coach in Jeff Hafley and a new general manager in Jon-Eric Sullivan, the franchise is clearly prioritizing long-term flexibility over veteran contracts.
Miami has already moved on from key defensive pieces like Jaelan Phillips and Jalen Ramsey, and there are significant questions surrounding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his long-term future. Chubb’s release fits the broader reset taking place in South Florida.
What’s Next for Chubb?
Even as he approaches his age-30 season, Chubb should draw plenty of interest. He has 48 career sacks, including at least eight in each of his last three full seasons. Proven pass rushers with that résumé rarely linger in free agency.
Teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals could make sense given their need for edge help and competitive windows heading into 2026.
While he may not command the $18.2 million average annual salary he earned in Miami, Chubb remains a productive, experienced defender who can immediately upgrade a contender’s pass rush.
For the Dolphins, this decision underscores a commitment to a rebuild. For Bradley Chubb, it’s a chance to land with a playoff-caliber team and remind the league that when healthy, he’s still one of the more impactful edge defenders in the NFL.
