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Jeff Hafley's strategy as Dolphins' new head coach (1:57)
Jeff Hafley joins "The Rich Eisen Show" and breaks down his strategy as he starts his new position as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. (1:57)
Marcel Louis-JacquesFeb 16, 2026, 10:45 AM ET
- Marcel Louis-Jacques joined ESPN in 2019 as a beat reporter covering the Buffalo Bills, before switching to the Miami Dolphins in 2021. The former Carolina Panthers beat writer for the Charlotte Observer won the APSE award for breaking news and the South Carolina Press Association award for enterprise writing in 2018.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins are releasing linebacker Bradley Chubb, a source confirmed to ESPN, signifying a major step toward a franchise rebuild.
The Dolphins sent a first-round pick to the Denver Broncos in 2022 in exchange for Chubb and immediately signed him to a five-year, $110 million extension. He posted his second double-digit-sack season with 11 in 2023 but suffered a significant injury in his right knee in Week 17, which included a torn ACL, meniscus and patellar tendon.
Chubb missed the entire 2024 season but returned with a team-high 8.5 sacks in 2025, playing all 17 games. He was a team captain and won the local media's "Good Guy" award for his consistent availability and professionalism with the press.
Although his 10.5% pressure rate in 2025 was the third highest of his career, he was double-teamed on a career-high 23.1% of his pass rushes, which contributed to his career-low 7.8% pass rush win rate. He also represented a $31 million cap hit in 2026, turns 30 years old in June and has torn his ACL in both knees during his eight-year NFL career.
Releasing Chubb before June 1 will cost the Dolphins roughly $23.8 million in dead cap while saving them $7.3 million in 2026. If he is designated as a post-June 1 cut, that dead cap figure would be split over the next two seasons, but Miami's cap savings in 2026 increase to $20.2 million.
Drafted fifth by the Broncos in 2018, Chubb has 48 career sacks.
This move represents the first major roster decision under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who was hired from the Green Bay Packers in January. It also leaves a sizable roster hole at outside linebacker, which still features 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson but no productive depth behind him.
Chubb's release is the first of multiple expected transitional moves this offseason; the team will also make decisions on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill -- who combined represent a $108 million cap hit for the Dolphins in 2026.
The news of Chubb's release was first reported by NFL Network.
