Dolphins Initiate Major Roster Overhaul by Releasing Pass Rusher Bradley Chubb

The business of the NFL is often cold and efficient, a reality that hit home in South Florida on Monday. In a move that signals a significant philosophical shift for the franchise, the Miami Dolphins are releasing two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Bradley Chubb. This decision marks the first major roster move under the new partnership of head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. While expected by some salary cap analysts, the departure of a defensive leader and highly productive edge rusher officially closes the book on the aggressive personnel strategy the Dolphins employed in recent years.

Navigating the Salary Cap Crisis

Miami entered the 2026 offseason facing a daunting financial picture. According to reports from OverTheCap, the team was roughly $17.4 million over the NFL salary cap for the upcoming league year. Chubb, who signed a lucrative extension after being acquired via trade, was set to count for a massive $31.2 million against the cap in 2026. By releasing him, the Dolphins create necessary breathing room, though the move comes with significant financial complications.

The mechanics of the release highlight the difficult position the front office faced. If processed as a standard release, the team saves approximately $7.34 million in cap space but must absorb $23.9 million in dead money for the season. However, reports suggest Miami could choose to designate Chubb as a post-June 1 release. This procedural move would increase the savings to $20.2 million for the 2026 season, spreading the dead cap hit across two years with $11 million counting this year and $12.9 million pushed into 2027. Regardless of the designation, the financial reality made Chubb’s contract untenable for a team looking to retool.

A Tenure Defined by Highs and Lows

Chubb arrived in Miami via a blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos ahead of the 2022 deadline. The franchise immediately doubled down on the acquisition by signing him to a five-year, $110 million extension, viewing him as the cornerstone of a championship-caliber defense. When healthy, Chubb delivered on that promise.

During his time with the Dolphins, he recorded 22 total sacks. His 2023 campaign was particularly dominant, as he led the team with 11 sacks and topped the entire NFL with six forced fumbles. However, his tenure was also marred by significant injury. He missed the entire 2024 season recovering from a torn ACL suffered in Week 17 of the previous year. Despite the setback, Chubb showcased his resilience by returning to the field for the 2025 season. He played in all 17 games and once again led the team in sacks with 8.5, proving he could still disrupt opposing quarterbacks.

Beyond the statistics, Chubb was a pillar of the locker room. In 2025, the Dolphins nominated him as their representative for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, recognizing his extensive work in the South Florida community. His departure leaves a void in leadership that will be difficult to fill.

Dismantling the Core

The release of Chubb appears to be just the first domino to fall in a wider purge of expensive veteran talent. Reports from NFL Network indicate that the Dolphins are also preparing to release five-time All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill, along with receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and guard James Daniels.

These combined moves are expected to clear over $56 million in cap space, allowing the team to become cap compliant and potentially active in free agency. However, it also signifies the dismantling of a roster that was built to win immediately. The celebrated pass-rushing trio of Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and rookie standout Chop Robinson has been reduced to just Robinson. Phillips was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in November, and with pending free agents Cameron Goode and Quinton Bell also potentially departing, the defensive front is looking at a total reconstruction.

What the Future Holds for Chubb

Entering his age-30 season, Chubb now hits the open market as one of the most intriguing defensive free agents available. He joins a class of edge rushers that includes Trey Hendrickson and K’Lavon Chaisson.

While his injury history is a valid concern for potential suitors, his production when on the field remains elite. Pass rushers are a premium commodity in the modern NFL, and Chubb has proven he can overcome major rehabilitation to perform at a Pro Bowl level. Teams in need of a veteran presence off the edge will likely look past the medical red flags in favor of his upside and leadership ability. A return to Denver seems unlikely, but contenders looking for a final piece to their defensive puzzle will surely be making calls.

The New Era in Miami

For the Dolphins, the focus now shifts entirely to the future. With the No. 11 pick in the upcoming draft and newfound salary cap flexibility, Hafley and Sullivan have the resources to mold the roster in their image. The rapid transition from a veteran-heavy team to a rebuilding squad puts immense pressure on the front office to hit on their draft picks.

The clearing of the books also raises further questions about the quarterback position. General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has stated the team is getting close to a decision regarding the future of Tua Tagovailoa. With Hill and Chubb gone, the support system around the quarterback has fundamentally changed, perhaps hinting at a total reset at the game’s most important position as well.