Broncos’ Chubb Trade Comes Full Circle as Dolphins Cut Ties with Former First-Rounder
Sometimes, NFL trades take years to fully reveal their impact. And in the case of the Denver Broncos’ 2022 decision to move on from Bradley Chubb, that ripple effect has now come full circle - and it’s looking more like a masterstroke with every passing development.
The Miami Dolphins have reportedly released Chubb, their high-priced edge rusher and former Broncos first-round pick, as they gear up for a full-scale rebuild this offseason. It’s a move that underscores just how dramatically things have shifted for both franchises since that deal went down.
Let’s rewind for a second. Back in 2022, the Broncos sent Chubb to Miami in exchange for a package that included a coveted first-round pick.
That pick didn’t stay in Denver long - it was flipped to the New Orleans Saints as part of the blockbuster trade that brought head coach Sean Payton to the Mile High City. And from there?
Well, the trajectory of the Broncos’ franchise changed in a big way.
At the time, though, the Chubb trade wasn’t exactly met with open arms in Denver. Inside the locker room, the move ruffled feathers.
Defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones, in particular, appeared to take it personally - and he wasn’t shy about showing it. His departure in the 2023 offseason felt like the fallout from a team trying to find its identity amid tough decisions.
Meanwhile, Chubb landed a massive contract extension from the Dolphins almost immediately. And to his credit, he produced.
Over two seasons (not including the injury-shortened 2024 campaign), he racked up 19.5 sacks and forced eight fumbles - solid numbers for a pass rusher expected to anchor a defense. But now, just a few seasons later, Miami is cutting ties.
And that’s where the contrast between these two franchises becomes striking.
Since that lopsided 70-20 loss to the Dolphins in 2023 - a game that felt like rock bottom for Denver - the Broncos have flipped the script. They’ve become one of the AFC’s most consistent and dangerous teams. They've broken through a playoff drought that had lingered since Super Bowl 50, claimed a division title for the first time in a decade, and even hosted the AFC Championship Game this past season.
Miami, on the other hand, has unraveled. The Dolphins have cleaned house, parting ways with both their general manager and head coach, and are now staring down the barrel of a full rebuild. The Chubb release is just the latest signal that the team is tearing things down to the studs.
And that brings us back to the original trade. Broncos GM George Paton took a swing when he dealt Chubb - a move that wasn’t popular with fans or players at the time.
But he saw the bigger picture. That first-round pick became the key to unlocking the Sean Payton era in Denver.
And now, with Payton at the helm, the Broncos are reaping the rewards of a bold, forward-thinking strategy.
It’s a reminder of just how important it is to understand your team’s timeline and make tough calls when the moment demands it. Trading away a productive pass rusher like Chubb wasn’t easy.
But the Broncos didn’t just gain draft capital - they gained direction. And that direction led them to a proven head coach who’s helped turn the franchise into a contender again.
Three years later, the decision to move on from Chubb looks less like a gamble and more like a foundational move. The Broncos didn’t just trade a player - they traded for a future. And that future is now.