The departure of Bradley Chubb from the Miami Dolphins wasn't a shocker, but seeing him land with the Buffalo Bills certainly raised some eyebrows. Now, the Dolphins will have the challenge of facing Chubb twice each season. Yet, the real head-scratcher might be interim GM Champ Kelly's choice not to trade him when offers were on the table at the 2025 trade deadline.
Chubb's move to a rival echoes the paths of past Dolphins like Jason Taylor and Bryan Cox, who also joined division foes. Few take the Zach Thomas route, turning down a team due to rivalry ties, as Thomas did when he chose the Cowboys over Bill Belichick's Patriots.
Despite the circumstances, Chubb has expressed nothing but gratitude towards Miami. On "The Set with Terron Armstead," he shared his appreciation for the Dolphins and their fans, emphasizing there's no bad blood.
Chubb's journey with Miami began when Chris Grier orchestrated a trade with the Denver Broncos, sending a package of picks, including a first-rounder, to bring him on board. Adjusting to Miami after his time in Denver was challenging, but he embraced the opportunity.
Labeling the move to Buffalo as purely a business decision, Chubb reflected on his time in Miami fondly, with his only regret being unable to end the team's 25-year playoff drought. "It's not personal," he stated, highlighting the love he felt from the Miami community.
Chubb made an immediate impact after joining the Dolphins, notching 2.5 sacks and 16 tackles in seven starts. His 2023 season was stellar, with 11 sacks contributing to a defense that matched the offensive prowess crafted by Mike McDaniel.
However, things took a downturn. Key injuries, including Chubb's ACL tear, disrupted the team's momentum.
The injury sidelined him for the entire 2024 season, but he bounced back in 2025 with 8.5 sacks, starting all 17 games. Yet, the shift from Grier to Jon-Eric Sullivan, along with departures of McDaniel and Anthony Weaver, led to Chubb's release as the Dolphins looked to manage their salary cap.
As Chubb heads to Buffalo, Dolphins fans face the bittersweet task of watching him play for a rival. While Josh Allen benefits from Chubb's arrival, Malik Willis might find the competition stiffer. One thing's for sure, the matchups against Chubb will be intriguing to watch this season.