Dolphins Cut Bradley Chubb Following 8.5-Sack Season and Four-Year Tenure

The Miami Dolphins are releasing pass rusher Bradley Chubb, a move that provides $7.3 million in immediate cap savings for the franchise.

The Miami Dolphins are releasing pass rusher Bradley Chubb after the 29-year-old defender spent four seasons with the organization. According to the Roster Management System, the transaction clears $7.3 million against the team's salary cap, though that figure could jump to $20.2 million if designated as a post-June 1 cut. Chubb was entering the final two years of his contract prior to this decision, which was first reported by NFL Network and confirmed by ESPN sources.

Last season, Chubb started all 17 regular-season contests for Miami and recorded 8.5 sacks. This performance followed a 2024 campaign that the linebacker missed entirely due to a torn ACL. Throughout his tenure in South Florida, which began midway through the 2022 season, the edge defender tallied 22 total sacks across 41 appearances. The Dolphins originally brought him to the roster via a trade with the Denver Broncos.

Statistical Impact and Career Totals

Since entering the league as the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Chubb has accumulated 48 career sacks over eight professional seasons. His production in Miami accounted for nearly half of that career total, despite the time lost to significant knee surgery. The 2022 trade that moved him from Denver to Miami served as the midpoint of his career, shifting him from the AFC West to the AFC East.

This roster move coincides with a leadership change for the Dolphins' defense. Jeff Hafley has taken over as the new head coach, recently appearing on "The Rich Eisen Show" to discuss his strategic approach for the upcoming season. Hafley’s defensive schemes will now move forward without the veteran presence of Chubb on the edge.

Salary Cap Implications and Roster Management

The financial structure of the release highlights the Dolphins' current focus on the Roster Management System. By moving on from the remaining two seasons of Chubb's deal, the front office gains significant flexibility. While the immediate savings sit at $7.3 million, the potential for $20.2 million in relief via the post-June 1 designation offers a substantial boost for future personnel acquisitions.

Transition Under Jeff Hafley

As the Dolphins transition into the Jeff Hafley era, the departure of a primary pass rusher marks a significant shift in the depth chart. Chubb’s ability to start every game last year proved his durability following his ACL recovery, yet the franchise opted for the financial benefits of his release. The team now looks to replace the 8.5 sacks and 17 starts produced by the veteran during the previous cycle. This news, contributed to by ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques, signals a new direction for the Miami defense as they navigate the offseason.