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The Dolphins are reportedly set to release star pass rusher Bradley Chubb
The Miami Dolphins are starting from scratch this offseason. The team has already hired a new general manager (Jon-Eric Sullivan), a new head coach (Jeff Hafley), and it will likely be moving on from Tua Tagovailoa as it searches for a new starting quarterback. And in case fans needed any further explanation on how the Dolphins will operate this offseason, their latest move involving star pass rusher Bradley Chubb should provide some clarity.
Chubb was one of the few bright spots on Miami’s roster in 2025, as he started all 17 games one year after not playing at all due to a torn ACL. With Miami set for a full-scale rebuild, though, it appears as if it does not view Chubb as part of its future, as reports emerged indicating the front office is set to make its first big move of the offseason.
Dolphins Release Bradley Chubb
Sources: The #Dolphins and two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb are parting ways, making the 29-year-old a free agent.
In his two full seasons with the Dolphins (2023 & 2025), Chubb has 20 sacks, 8 FF, and 117 tackles. He should have a nice market.
Chubb initially broke into the NFL with the Denver Broncos as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 draft. While he struggled to consistently stay on the field, when Chubb was healthy, he was one of the top pass rushers in the league. He earned a pair of Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2022, while also finishing third in the Defensive Rookie of the Year race in 2018 after he racked up a career-high 12 sacks.
In 2022, Chubb was traded to the Dolphins, and he quickly became a key piece of their defense. After returning from his aforementioned injury in 2025, Chubb put together a strong bounce-back campaign, as he picked up 47 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Chubb generated quite a bit of interest at the trade deadline, and it was somewhat surprising to see him not get dealt to a new team.
With a new regime taking over in Miami, Chubb’s future with the team was clearly up in the air entering the offseason. It didn’t take long for him to get some clarity on his standing with the Dolphins, though, as Sullivan and the front office are reportedly set to release Chubb and let him hit free agency.
“Sources: The Dolphins and two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb are parting ways, making the 29-year-old a free agent,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported in a post on X. “In his two full seasons with the Dolphins (2023 & 2025), Chubb has 20 sacks, 8 FF, and 117 tackles. He should have a nice market.”
Dolphins Save $7.3 Million by Releasing Bradley Chubb
GettyMiami Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb.
Releasing Chubb is purely a financial decision, as he was set to count for $31.2 million against the cap in 2026. For a team that is set to undergo a rebuild like the Dolphins, paying that sort of money simply doesn’t make sense. Miami will have to eat $23.8 million in dead money, but releasing Chubb does save them $7.3 million against the cap.
While Chubb didn’t get moved ahead of the trade deadline, rumors indicated several teams were interested in him, which should mean he will have his fair share of suitors now that he’s on the open market. Chubb’s release is a bit surprising, but he likely won’t be the only veteran that the Dolphins decide to move on from over the next few months.
Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli
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