The Miami Dolphins have a commodity that NFL teams covet, possessing more pass rushers than the team actually needs, and it might benefit the franchise long-term to move some of them.
That’s the running consensus in NFL circles as the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline approaches, and if the right offer is made don’t be surprised if general manager Chris Grier trades Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb or Matt Judon for a draft pick.
All of Miami’s pass rushers are aware Thursday night’s 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens could possibly be their last in a Dolphins uniform, at least for this season.
“God has full control. He knows the plans he has for me,” said Chubb, who was acquired from Denver by the Dolphins at the trade deadline in 2022 for a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round pick. “I’m just living each and every day, being where my feet are.
“I understand the business of football,” said Chubb, who took a massive pay reduction this offseason to remain in Miami, having $16 million deducted from the five-year, $110 million contract extension he signed days after being traded to the Dolphins. “But at the end of the day, I love these guys. I got the C on my shirt for a reason.”
Chubb’s referring to his role as a team leader, a captain, which he takes pride in.
This season Chubb has tallied 22 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble and recorded a fumble in the nine games he has played in this season, which was his return to the NFL after sitting out all of 2024 to rehab the knee injury he sustained in December of 2023.
A team in need of pass-rushing help could potentially acquire Chubb from Miami for a third-day draft pick because his $19.2 million salary next season isn’t guaranteed, and the Dolphins could potentially clear $20.2 million in cap space releasing him next offseason. Trade Chubb now and the team would acquire something for him.
Phillips’ contract status might also motivate the Dolphins to move the former University of Miami standout for a draft pick.
Phillips, the Dolphins’ 2021 first-round pick, is playing on a fifth-year option, which pays him $13.2 million this season.
Phillips, who has contributed 21 tackles, two sacks and forced one fumble this season, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent after this season if the Dolphins don’t use the franchise tag to restrict his availability.
And it’s doubtful that the Dolphins will do so considering that approach would guarantee Phillips roughly $24 million for the 2026 season, which is far more than the talented, but often-injured pass rusher would get annually on the free agent market.
It’s doubtful that the Dolphins would trade Phillips for anything less than a fourth-round pick in 2026 or 2027 because Miami could potentially inherit that, or better for Phillips based on the NFL’s compensatory pick formula. But that formula depends on how much he receives from another team, and the impact he has in 2026 on the field.
“It’s out of my control. I would love to stay here,” said Phillips, who has recorded 173 tackles, 25 sacks, one interception and recovered four fumbles in the 55 games he’s played the past five seasons. “But if I get traded I get traded.”
Grier has made more trades during his seven-year tenure as a general manager than any other NFL executive, so it’s likely that he’ll have a few conversations about the Dolphins’ top talents before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline arrives.
Whether Grier pulls the trigger on a trade will likely depend on what’s offered, and for who.