The Miami Dolphins are signaling a full-scale rebuild this offseason, moving on from star edge rusher Bradley Chubb as part of a broader restructuring. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley are guiding Miami through personnel changes, with a potential shift at quarterback already in play.
Chubb, who joined the Dolphins in 2022 and started all 17 games in 2025 after missing the prior season with an ACL injury, posted 20 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, and 117 tackles across his two full seasons in Miami. Despite a strong bounce-back campaign, the front office reportedly intends to release him, making the 29-year-old a free agent.
Financially, the decision makes sense for a team rebooting its roster. Chubb was set to count $31.2 million against the cap in 2026, and releasing him saves the Dolphins about $7.3 million while absorbing $23.8 million in dead money. The move clears cap space as Miami contemplates how to allocate funds during a potential rebuild and reshaping of the roster.
With several veteran pieces likely to be evaluated in the coming months, Chubb’s departure opens opportunities for other teams to pursue a proven edge presence. While there was some trade interest at the deadline, the Dolphins opted to release him, signaling a broader strategic shift under the new regime.
Chubb’s exit follows the Dolphins’ broader offseason theme: restructuring leadership, redefining the roster, and positioning for long-term competitiveness. As free agency opens, Chubb’s market is expected to be robust given his proven production when healthy, while Miami assesses how to best align its cap, future draft assets, and positional needs.
