Dolphins Release Pro Bowl Pass Rusher Bradley Chubb in Cap-Cutting Move
The Miami Dolphins are releasing two-time Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb, the franchise announced Monday, marking one of the offseason’s most significant roster moves ahead of the official free agency period that begins March 11.
The decision comes as Miami’s new regime—general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley—aggressively addresses the team’s salary cap situation. Chubb was set to carry a $31.2 million cap hit for 2026, making him a logical candidate for release despite his strong 2025 performance.
Cap Relief and Performance Contrast
Releasing the veteran edge rusher saves Miami $7.3 million in immediate cap space, though the move carries a $23.8 million dead money charge. If the Dolphins designate the release as a post-June 1 transaction, the cap savings would increase to $20.2 million, with the dead money spread across 2026 and 2027.
The financial decision stands in sharp contrast to Chubb’s on-field production. The 29-year-old pass rusher—who turns 30 in June—started all 17 games in 2025 after missing the entire 2024 season with a torn ACL, recording 8.5 sacks, 47 tackles, 20 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery to lead the Dolphins’ defense.
The Injury Comeback That Changed the Timeline
Chubb’s trajectory with Miami has been complicated by injury and contract structure. Originally acquired from the Denver Broncos during the 2022 season in exchange for first and fourth-round picks plus running back Chase Edmonds, Chubb signed a five-year, $110 million extension with the Dolphins that appeared to keep him through 2027.
His first full season in Miami in 2023 proved worth the investment: 73 combined tackles, 11 sacks, 22 quarterback hits and a tied league-lead with six forced fumbles. However, a torn ACL suffered in Week 17 sidelined him for all of 2024, forcing the franchise to restructure his deal last year—a move that ultimately pushed his 2026 cap hit to unsustainable levels.
Entering Free Agency at Peak Uncertainty
The 29-year-old now enters free agency as one of the league’s premier pass rushers available on the open market. Over his eight-year NFL career, Chubb has recorded 48 sacks, 112 quarterback hits, 303 tackles and 15 forced fumbles across 90 games with the Broncos (2018-2022) and Dolphins.
The release reflects broader changes within Miami’s organization. The franchise missed the playoffs in 2024 and finished with back-to-back Wild Card exits in 2023 and 2025, prompting the front office to pursue a significant roster overhaul under Sullivan and Hafley.
