Nearly four years after making a blockbuster deal to acquire him, the Miami Dolphins have officially released veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb, marking a significant turning point for both the player and the franchise. The move, first reported on February 16, 2026, by multiple outlets including NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, signals the first major roster decision of the new Dolphins regime under head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. But for Dolphins fans, it’s also the end of a high-profile experiment that began with so much promise and, ultimately, more than a few hard lessons.
Chubb, who will turn 30 in June, joined Miami in a headline-grabbing midseason trade with the Denver Broncos back in 2022. The deal saw the Dolphins send a first-round pick, a future fourth-round selection, and running back Chase Edmonds to Denver, receiving Chubb and a fifth-round pick in return. The Broncos later flipped that first-rounder to the New Orleans Saints for coach Sean Payton, adding another layer of intrigue to the trade’s legacy.
Almost immediately after landing in South Florida, Chubb inked a five-year, $110 million extension with the Dolphins, a move that signaled Miami’s commitment to building a dominant defensive front. In his first eight games with the team that season, Chubb notched 2.5 sacks, 13 combined tackles, and 12 quarterback hits—enough to earn a Pro Bowl nod and help Miami reach the playoffs. Though the Dolphins fell to the Buffalo Bills in a dramatic 34-31 Wild Card clash, Chubb’s sack and forced fumble in that game hinted at his potential impact.
The 2023 campaign saw Chubb deliver on that promise in spades. Starting all 16 games, he posted career highs with 73 combined tackles, 11 sacks, and a league-leading six forced fumbles. The Dolphins’ faith in their new star seemed well placed, as Chubb’s relentless motor and leadership became a cornerstone of the defense. But fate intervened late in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens, when Chubb suffered a devastating knee injury—tearing his ACL, patella tendon, and meniscus. The injury, which Chubb would later describe as "the most challenging setback of my life," sidelined him for the entire 2024 season.
Despite opening his 21-day practice window in December 2024, the Dolphins’ staff, including then-coach Mike McDaniel, decided not to rush Chubb back. "Bradley takes that serious and has gone after the whole process so he can be Bradley Chubb for this team," McDaniel explained at the time. "He’s been patient through this process. Ultimately, we all decided we didn’t think he would be able to be the player he expects, we all expect. We need a little bit more time that unfortunately the season couldn’t offer us." Chubb himself reflected, "Seeing from when I was there to where I am now is nothing short of a blessing. I’m chopping wood and carrying water every day, continuing to have a positive mindset."
Chubb’s perseverance paid off in 2025. Returning to the field, he led the Dolphins in sacks once again, registering 8.5 to go along with 47 tackles and 20 quarterback hits over 17 games. He also continued to be a respected presence in the locker room, earning the South Florida local media’s Good Guy Award and being named a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year. "I’ve been through it all, and I’ve matured," Chubb said in December 2025. "It’s one of those things that I’m glad it happened to me. Two years ago, it’s hard to say, ‘I’m glad this happened,’ while I’m sitting on the cart getting carted off, but you look back on it now, and it’s a positive, bright spot in your life instead of a dark time."
Still, the business side of the NFL waits for no one. Chubb’s contract, restructured in 2025, carried a cap hit of over $31 million for 2026—untenable for a team in transition. By releasing Chubb now, the Dolphins save $7.3 million in cap space for 2026, though they’ll incur nearly $24 million in dead money unless they choose a post–June 1 designation, which would spread that hit over two years and increase the savings to $20.2 million. The move comes as part of a broader roster overhaul: on the same day, Miami also released star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and guard James Daniels, clearing over $56 million in cap space for the coming season.
Chubb’s Miami tenure closes with 22 sacks, 54 quarterback hits, and nine forced fumbles over 41 games—impressive numbers, especially considering his missed time due to injury. Across his NFL career, including his four and a half seasons in Denver, Chubb has now amassed 48 sacks, 133 combined tackles as a Dolphin, and a reputation as a two-time Pro Bowler. Originally drafted fifth overall by the Broncos in 2018 out of NC State, Chubb was once seen as the linchpin of Denver’s post–Von Miller defense. In fact, former Broncos GM John Elway would later admit that passing on Josh Allen in favor of Chubb was his "worst mistake as a GM."
The Dolphins’ decision to part ways with Chubb is emblematic of a franchise in full rebuild mode. Miami has already traded away fellow pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, leaving only Chop Robinson from their once-vaunted trio of edge defenders. The Dolphins now hold the No. 11 pick in April’s NFL Draft and appear poised to reshape the roster for the future. With other key players such as Cameron Goode and Quinton Bell hitting free agency, the team’s pass rush will look dramatically different in 2026.
Major questions also linger on offense, most notably the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. After being benched in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers late last season, Tagovailoa’s status remains up in the air despite a massive four-year, $212.1 million extension signed in July 2024. Cutting Tagovailoa outright would saddle the Dolphins with a record $99 million dead-money cap hit, unless they designate him as a post–June 1 cut to spread the financial pain. As the Dolphins’ front office weighs its options, fans are left wondering what the team’s identity will look like come September.
For Bradley Chubb, the next chapter begins now. At just 29, with a proven track record and a clean bill of health, he’ll be one of the most intriguing free agents on the market. Given his production in his last three full seasons—each with at least eight sacks—there’s little doubt that teams in need of a veteran edge rusher will come calling. The only question is where Chubb will land next, and whether he can recapture the form that made him one of the NFL’s most feared defenders.
As the dust settles in Miami, it’s clear the Dolphins are embracing change—painful as it may be. For Chubb, the opportunity for a fresh start awaits, and for Dolphins fans, the 2026 season promises a roster—and a future—that looks very different from the one they’ve come to know.