Bradley Chubb Bills Agreement: Pass Rusher Joins Buffalo on $43.5M Contract

Bradley Chubb Bills reached a three-year, $43.5 million agreement that includes $29 million in guaranteed money following his release from Miami.

Bradley Chubb Bills reached a three-year, $43.5 million contract agreement that includes $29 million in guaranteed money and carries a maximum value of $52.5 million. Agent Erik Burkhardt confirmed the terms to ESPN's Adam Schefter following the pass rusher's official release from the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday. Chubb, who was drafted fifth overall by the Denver Broncos in 2018, moves to Buffalo after leading Miami with 8.5 sacks across 17 games during the 2025 season. This transition keeps the veteran edge defender within the AFC East division after he spent parts of three seasons with the Dolphins.

During his final campaign in Miami, Chubb recorded a 10.5% pressure rate, which stands as the third-highest mark of his eight-year NFL career. However, opposing offenses focused heavily on neutralizing him, resulting in a career-high double-team rate of 23.1% on his pass rushes. These frequent double-teams contributed to a career-low pass rush win rate of 7.8%. Despite these challenges, Chubb maintained a consistent presence on the field, appearing in every regular-season contest and earning the local media's "Good Guy" award for his professionalism and availability to the press while serving as a team captain.

Contractual Breakdown and Financial Implications

The financial structure of the Bradley Chubb Bills deal represents a significant shift from his previous compensation. The Dolphins originally acquired Chubb from the Denver Broncos in 2022 by trading away a first-round draft pick. Immediately following that trade, Miami signed him to a five-year extension worth $110 million. By releasing him on Wednesday, the Dolphins avoided a projected $31 million cap hit scheduled for the 2026 season. The new agreement in Buffalo provides the Bills with a veteran who has accumulated 48 career sacks over his professional tenure.

Chubb’s departure from Miami follows a 2023 season where he achieved his second career double-digit sack total, finishing with 11. That productive year was cut short during a Week 17 matchup when he sustained a major injury to his right knee. The diagnosis included a torn ACL, meniscus, and patellar tendon. This injury marked the second time in his career that he suffered a torn ACL, having previously experienced the same injury in his other knee. The pass rusher will turn 30 years old this June as he begins his tenure with the Buffalo roster.

Tactical Impact on the AFC East

The acquisition of Chubb provides the Bills with a defender who has proven capable of high-volume production when healthy. His 2025 performance demonstrated durability despite the severity of his previous knee reconstruction, as he did not miss a single game. The Bills are betting on his ability to overcome the 2026 cap concerns and age-related decline that prompted Miami to move on. By signing with Buffalo, Chubb remains a direct competitor to the Dolphins, the team that invested a first-round pick and a nine-figure extension in him just three years prior.

Analysis from ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques indicates that the move reshapes the defensive front for the Bills. While his pass rush win rate saw a dip to 7.8% under heavy double-team pressure, his presence on the line of scrimmage often dictates how offensive coordinators distribute their protection schemes. Buffalo's coaching staff will look to leverage his 48 career sacks to bolster a unit that must compete with high-powered offenses across the league. The move also coincides with broader league transactions, such as the Chicago Bears' trade involving DJ Moore, which Joe Fortenbaugh analyzed as a victory for the Bears organization.

Career Trajectory and Injury History

Bradley Chubb's journey to the Bills is defined by high-level production interrupted by significant physical setbacks. Since entering the league as a top-five selection out of the 2018 draft class, he has established himself as a premier edge threat when active. His two seasons with at least 10 sacks highlight his ceiling, though his history of tearing the ACL in both knees remains a critical data point for his longevity. The $29 million guaranteed in his new Buffalo contract suggests the organization maintains confidence in his medical outlook for the next three seasons.

In Miami, his leadership was as noted as his statistics, evidenced by his captaincy and his reputation for consistent media engagement. The Dolphins' decision to clear him from the books was a calculated financial move to avoid the looming $31 million hit in 2026, but it leaves a void of 8.5 sacks that the Bills have now filled. As Chubb prepares for his first season in Buffalo, the focus will remain on his ability to maintain his 10.5% pressure rate while potentially seeing fewer double-teams than the 23.1% clip he faced in his final year with the Dolphins.