The Miami Dolphins are making a bold financial move-and a big roster decision-by releasing outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, according to a report from Jordan Schultz. It’s a headline-grabbing transaction, not just because of the name involved, but because of the cap gymnastics that come with it.
Let’s break it down: Chubb’s release will leave Miami with a hefty $23.86 million in dead money, per OverTheCap.com. That’s not a small number, and it speaks to how committed the Dolphins are to reshaping their roster and cap sheet heading into the offseason.
Now, the Dolphins have two options here. If they release Chubb without a post-June 1 designation, they’ll eat the entire $23.86 million dead cap hit this year.
Painful, yes-but they still free up $7.34 million in cap space, since Chubb was set to count $31.2 million against the cap in 2026. That’s a lot of money for one player, even one with Chubb’s pedigree.
But if they go the post-June 1 route, the financial picture shifts. In that case, the Dolphins would take on $10.97 million of dead cap in 2026 and push the rest into 2027.
The upside? They’d save over $20 million this season-money that could go a long way toward reinforcing a roster that’s still looking to get over the hump in the AFC.
Chubb’s time in Miami has been a whirlwind. The Dolphins traded for him midway through the 2022 season, just before he was set to hit free agency.
They didn’t wait long to commit-inking him to a five-year, $110 million extension shortly after the deal. It was a clear signal: Miami saw Chubb as a cornerstone of their defense.
Since then, the Dolphins have leaned on Chubb not just on the field, but on the books. His contract was restructured twice-once last offseason to free up over $14 million in cap room, and again in March to clear another $16.3 million.
Those moves gave Miami flexibility in the short term, but they also pushed financial burdens down the road. And now, that bill is coming due.
On the field, Chubb was productive in 2025. He played in all 17 games, racking up 47 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
That’s solid edge production-especially for a defense that dealt with its share of injuries and inconsistency throughout the season. At 29, Chubb still has plenty in the tank, and he’ll now get the chance to test the open market once again.
It’s a tough end to what was supposed to be a long-term partnership, but this is the reality of the modern NFL. Cap management is as much a part of roster building as scouting or coaching. The Dolphins are making a calculated move here-sacrificing a proven pass rusher in the name of financial flexibility.
The question now becomes: what’s next for both sides? For Miami, the savings could help them retool a defense that’s in transition. For Chubb, he becomes one of the more intriguing free agents on the market-a veteran pass rusher with production, pedigree, and playoff experience.
One thing’s for sure: this move will ripple through the offseason. And as always in the NFL, timing and cap space are everything.