The Miami Dolphins and defensive end Bradley Chubb are parting ways, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, adding another notable edge rusher to the free agent market.
The Dolphins likely will place a June 1 designation on his release, allowing the team to save $20 million against the cap instead of the $7.3 million if they released him without it.
Chubb restructured his deal last season and took a pay cut, losing more than $9 million in the process.
Chubb responded by getting 8.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, 47 tackles and two forced fumbles. Still, the Dolphins were unlikely to keep him on that current deal because he was slated to earn $31 million next season and another $31 million in 2027, according to Over The Cap.
Chubb is the latest edge rusher who could play for a new team next season, with Khalil Mack, Trey Hendrickson and Haason Reddick all slated to become free agents and rumors that Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby could be traded.
Four teams currently make the most sense for Chubb’s services. The Los Angeles Chargers are the team that first comes to mind because they currently use an odd-man-front defense, primarily a 3-4., primarily a 3-4. Even with former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter leaving the team to become the Baltimore Ravens’ new defensive coordinator and Chris O’Leary replacing him, they largely are expected to keep a lot of things the same.
Chubb also could be a possible replacement for Mack if the Chargers decide not to use the franchise tag on him and he signs elsewhere. The Chargers also have the third-highest projected cap space this offseason with $83.6 million at their disposal.
Speaking of Minter and the Ravens, Baltimore would make sense for the same reasons as the Chargers. The Ravens need serious help after getting only 30 sacks last season, which was tied for the third-lowest total in the league. Add the fact that linebacker Kyle Van Noy, a player in their edge rusher rotation, is a free agent and Chubb immediately would provide an upgrade.
The Washington Commanders also have the cap space ($76 million) and need to find as many impactful defensive linemen as possible to fix their defense that finished last in the NFL in 2025, allowing 384.3 yards per game.
The Dallas Cowboys fit as a potential landing spot, especially if new defensive coordinator Christian Parker decides to use a Vic Fangio-style defensive scheme that he has coached defensive backs in with the Denver Broncos and the Eagles. Chubb played in that scheme for 3½ seasons, getting 14 sacks in that span and being named to the Pro Bowl in 2020.