When Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane inked outside linebacker Bradley Chubb to a three-year deal, the reactions from the passionate Bills Mafia were all over the map. Some fans saw a savvy move, bringing in a pass-rusher with a proven track record who could thrive in the team’s revamped defensive strategy.
However, there was also skepticism. Some viewed this as another risky gamble by Beane, reminiscent of past attempts to secure a top-tier pass-rusher. With Beane already feeling the heat, another misstep might just be the tipping point in his Buffalo tenure.
Beane's Familiar Approach to Building the Defense
Let’s rewind to one of Beane’s boldest decisions: signing Von Miller. Just before the 2023 season, Beane handed Miller a hefty six-year, $120 million contract.
Miller, fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Rams, was expected to be the game-changer for the Bills. However, at 33, the risk was apparent.
Despite his impactful 9.5 sacks with the Rams, age and injuries were catching up. An unfortunate ACL tear in his first season with the Bills marked the decline of his elite status.
While Miller’s contributions were solid, the expectations set by his contract were tough to meet, especially given his injury history.
Then came Joey Bosa. His one-year, $12.6 million deal was a calculated low-risk move.
Bosa, once a dominant force with the Chargers, had been plagued by injuries. The Bills hoped for a resurgence in 2025, and while he played 15 games, his five sacks marked a career low for a full season.
Bosa’s stint in Buffalo was decent, providing pressure but rarely sealing the deal. By the playoff exit in Denver, he seemed a step behind.
Enter Bradley Chubb
After a big trade for D.J. Moore, many expected Beane to draft a pass rusher.
Instead, he brought in Chubb from the Dolphins on a three-year, $43.5 million contract. This deal feels like a middle ground between the Bosa and Miller signings.
Chubb showed flashes of elite potential before an ACL tear ended his 2023 season, where he recorded 11 sacks. Missing all of 2024, he returned to post 8.5 sacks on a struggling Dolphins defense last season. On paper, Chubb offers a more optimistic outlook than Bosa, with hopes that he’ll regain his double-digit sack form and become a key playmaker for the Bills.
The Big Question Marks
The hope is that Chubb’s arrival will not only sting the Dolphins but also give the Bills the dominant pass-rusher they’ve been searching for. Yet, like Miller and Bosa before him, Chubb’s signing raises significant questions.
The Bills aren’t in a position to snag a premier pass-rusher like Maxx Crosby. Beane’s history of signing veterans with injury concerns could come back to haunt him if Chubb doesn’t deliver. It’s a high-stakes gamble that could define Beane’s legacy in Buffalo.