The Buffalo Bills have finally made a splash in the 2026 NFL free agency period, signing two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb to a three-year contract worth $43.5 million, with incentives that could push the deal up to $52.5 million and $29 million guaranteed. The move, confirmed on March 11, 2026, comes after a relatively quiet start to the offseason for Buffalo and signals a renewed focus on fortifying the team’s pass rush—a persistent weakness in recent years.
Chubb, 29, arrives in Buffalo after being released by the Miami Dolphins at the opening of the new league year. The Dolphins, seeking cap relief, designated Chubb as a post-June 1 cut, which freed up $20.23 million in cap space. Within just 30 minutes of his release, Chubb had agreed to terms with the Bills, an AFC East rival, underscoring Buffalo’s urgency to address their defensive needs. The Dolphins’ decision to part ways with Chubb was also influenced by his hefty $31 million cap hit for 2026 and their own historic cap challenges, including the record-breaking $99.2 million dead cap hit from releasing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Chubb’s journey to Buffalo has been marked by both high achievement and adversity. Drafted fifth overall by the Denver Broncos in 2018—two spots ahead of current Bills quarterback Josh Allen—Chubb burst onto the scene with a 12-sack rookie campaign. He spent five seasons with Denver before being traded to Miami at the 2022 NFL trade deadline. The Dolphins paid a hefty price, sending a first-round pick to Denver and immediately signing Chubb to a five-year, $110 million extension.
In Miami, Chubb established himself as a leader, serving as team captain and earning the local media’s "Good Guy" award for his professionalism and availability. He posted double-digit sack numbers in 2023 (11 sacks), but his momentum was halted by a severe right knee injury in Week 17—tearing his ACL, meniscus, and patellar tendon. The injury sidelined him for the entire 2024 season, the second time in his career he had suffered an ACL tear. Despite these setbacks, Chubb returned in 2025 to play all 17 games, leading the Dolphins with 8.5 sacks, 47 tackles (24 solo), eight tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. His 10.5% pressure rate was the third highest of his career, though he faced double teams on 23.1% of his pass rushes, resulting in a career-low 7.8% win rate.
Chubb’s career totals are impressive: across 90 games (excluding the lost 2024 season), he has notched 48 sacks, 303 tackles (181 solo), 53 tackles for loss, 112 quarterback hits, seven pass defenses, one interception, 15 forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. He has played in just one playoff game—ironically, against Buffalo in 2022—where he recorded a sack and a forced fumble.
The Bills’ pursuit of Chubb comes after several attempts to shore up their pass rush in recent seasons. Previous high-profile signings, including Von Miller in 2022 and Joey Bosa and Michael Hoecht in 2025, failed to deliver the consistent pressure needed, particularly in the postseason. The franchise also showed interest in Trey Hendrickson, who ultimately signed a four-year, $112 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens, and reportedly explored trade talks for Maxx Crosby. With Bosa and A.J. Epenesa hitting free agency and likely moving on, Buffalo found itself light at edge rusher, making Chubb’s arrival both timely and necessary.
Chubb joins a defensive front featuring Greg Rousseau, Michael Hoecht (who is recovering from an Achilles injury), Landon Jackson, Javon Solomon, and Andre Jones Jr. The new defensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard, is expected to transition the Bills from a 4-3 to a 3-4 base defense, a system that aligns perfectly with Chubb’s experience as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Leonhard’s scheme will emphasize multiple looks and pressure packages, potentially maximizing Chubb’s ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks.
"The Bills were fairly light at edge rusher before Chubb’s addition," wrote Alex Brasky of Bills Digest, highlighting the immediate impact Chubb could have on a unit that finished tied for 20th in the NFL in sacks last season. Greg Rousseau led the team with seven sacks in 2025, while Chubb’s 8.5 sacks and 14.6% quarterback pressure rate last year suggest he can help elevate Buffalo’s pass rush to at least an average level, if not higher.
Chubb’s role in Buffalo is expected to be that of a rotational player, sharing snaps with Hoecht, Rousseau, and possibly Solomon, as well as any new additions from the upcoming draft. While he may not deliver the elite production of a top-tier pass rusher like Hendrickson or Crosby, Chubb’s track record in seasons where he’s played at least 16 games—always recording at least eight sacks—offers optimism for the Bills’ defense. As Sal Maiorana, a longtime Bills beat writer, noted, "Chubb is not going to give the Bills the type of production someone would expect from the top-end pass rushers like Hendrickson; he’s going to be a rotational player who will share time with players like Hoecht, Greg Rousseau, maybe Javon Solomon, and then perhaps someone the Bills add in the draft."
Off the field, the Bills’ front office, led by president and general manager Brandon Beane, was busy managing the salary cap to make this move possible. The team re-signed center Connor McGovern, restructured contracts for Josh Allen, Tyler Bass, and Dawson Knox, and made several low-key signings, including slot corner Dee Alford and backup quarterback Kyle Allen. They also executed trades to acquire wide receiver DJ Moore and a fifth-round pick from Chicago, while sending slot corner Taron Johnson and a seventh-rounder to Las Vegas for a sixth-round pick. As it stands, the Bills hold seven draft picks, including the 26th overall selection in the first round.
Chubb’s signing may also signal the end of Joey Bosa’s tenure in Buffalo and likely removes the Bills from further big-ticket pursuits at edge rusher this offseason. Pro Football Focus ranked Chubb 103rd among 119 qualifying edge rushers in 2025, suggesting there’s room for improvement, but his presence alone should ease some of the frustrations fans have felt during a slow start to free agency.
As the Bills prepare for a new era under Jim Leonhard’s defensive leadership, all eyes will be on how Chubb integrates into the revamped scheme and whether his veteran presence can help Buffalo finally turn the corner in their quest for postseason success. The move may not be the seismic acquisition fans dreamed of, but it’s a solid step forward for a franchise determined to stay in the AFC hunt.