Why the Jets Should Pass on Bradley Chubb Despite the Obvious Need at EDGE
The Miami Dolphins made a surprise move this week, releasing veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb after 41 games with the team. Chubb, a two-time Pro Bowler and former top-five pick, now hits the open market at a time when edge rushers are in high demand - and few teams need one more than the New York Jets.
On paper, it might seem like a match. The Jets are thin at EDGE, and Chubb brings name recognition, production, and experience. But dig a little deeper, and it becomes clear: Chubb isn’t the answer for New York.
Chubb’s Resume: Solid, but Slipping
There’s no denying Chubb has had moments where he looked every bit like the game-wrecker he was drafted to be back in 2018. After being selected fifth overall by the Denver Broncos, he put together a solid resume over five seasons before being traded to Miami in a high-profile deal. That trade - which included a first-round pick going to Denver - showed just how much the Dolphins believed in his upside.
In Miami, Chubb started 40 of 41 games, racking up 26 sacks, 170 total tackles, and 58 quarterback hits. His 2023 season was particularly impressive: 11 sacks, 45 solo tackles, and a career-high six forced fumbles. He was a force off the edge, and it looked like Miami had found its long-term answer at the position.
But then came Week 17 against Baltimore - and a torn ACL that ended his season and forced him to miss all of 2024.
The 2025 Comeback: Inconsistent and Concerning
To his credit, Chubb worked his way back and suited up for all 17 games in 2025. His stat line - 8.5 sacks, 47 tackles, 20 QB hits - isn’t bad at all. Those are respectable numbers, especially for a player coming off a major knee injury.
But the tape tells a different story. According to Pro Football Focus, Chubb ranked 78th out of 115 qualified edge rushers in pass-rush grade (60.3) and 87th in run defense (57.2). That’s not the kind of impact the Jets need - especially from a player who turns 30 before Week 1 and is coming off a major injury.
The concern here isn’t just the drop-off in efficiency. It’s the trajectory.
Chubb’s best football might be behind him, and even if he’s still capable of occasional flashes, the Jets need more than that. They need a long-term solution off the edge - not a short-term gamble with a fading ceiling.
A Draft Class Built for EDGE Help
The good news for New York? This year’s draft class is loaded at edge rusher - and the Jets are sitting on a treasure chest of early picks. With four selections in the top 45, they’re in prime position to land not just one, but potentially two high-upside pass rushers.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently said, *“If you need an edge rusher, this is a good draft to double up. The depth of the class is impressive.
I’ve got 10 guys worthy of a spot in the top 50 players.” *
That’s exactly the kind of setup the Jets need to take advantage of. Whether it’s Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr., or David Bailey at No. 2 overall - or another talented prospect at picks 16 or 33 - the opportunity is there to build a young, explosive defensive front through the draft.
The Smarter Play: Youth First, Veteran Second
That doesn’t mean the Jets should avoid adding a veteran entirely. In fact, pairing a rookie with a reliable, rotational vet could be the perfect formula. But that veteran needs to be consistent, healthy, and scheme-versatile - traits that Chubb, at this stage, may no longer offer.
The Jets are building something on defense. They’ve got a strong interior with Quinnen Williams, a talented secondary, and a coaching staff that knows how to get the most out of young defenders. What they need now is a dynamic edge presence to tie it all together - someone who can grow with the core, not someone who’s trying to recapture past form.
Bradley Chubb has had a solid career. But for a Jets team looking to the future, he just doesn’t fit the plan.