The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a pass-rushing problem - and it’s not a new one. After another season in 2025 where the defense struggled to consistently get after the quarterback, it’s clear that Tampa Bay needs to make a serious investment on the edge. Whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or both, the Bucs need to come out of this offseason with not just one, but possibly two or three new pass rushers.
And now, a new name has hit the market - one that could immediately draw interest from Tampa Bay’s front office. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Miami Dolphins and two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Bradley Chubb are parting ways, making the 29-year-old a free agent. That’s a significant development for a Bucs team in search of a top-tier presence on the edge.
Let’s break it down.
Bradley Chubb: A Proven Disruptor with a Complicated History
Chubb isn’t just another name on the free-agent list. He’s a former top-five pick - drafted No. 5 overall by the Broncos in 2018 out of NC State - with a history of production when healthy. At 6-foot-4 and 268 pounds, he’s built like a prototypical edge rusher, and when he’s been on the field, he’s made an impact.
He burst onto the scene as a rookie in Denver with 12 sacks and 57 pressures, immediately showing why he was considered one of the best defensive prospects in his class. Even after tearing his ACL in 2019 and playing just four games, he bounced back in 2020 with 7.5 sacks and another 57 pressures, earning his first Pro Bowl nod.
Injuries have been part of the story, though. He missed significant time again in 2021, and after a midseason trade to Miami in 2022, he managed just 2.5 sacks over the final eight games with the Dolphins. Still, he finished that year with eight sacks and 54 pressures - good enough for another Pro Bowl appearance.
Then came 2023, arguably his best all-around season. Chubb racked up 11 sacks, six forced fumbles (which led the league), and a career-high 70 pressures.
That’s the kind of production that changes games and tilts the field. But just as he was hitting his stride, another ACL tear ended his season and wiped out his 2024 campaign.
Chubb returned in 2025 and played all 17 games, posting 8.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, and 48 pressures. Not quite his 2023 form, but still a strong showing for a player coming off a major injury. Over 90 career games (89 starts), Chubb has totaled 48 sacks, 112 quarterback hits, 306 pressures, 15 forced fumbles, and even an interception.
What Would Chubb Cost the Bucs?
Here’s where it gets interesting. Chubb was originally set to earn $20.2 million in cash this upcoming season, but that number came down to $11 million in 2025 after a pay cut. That cap hit - and his injury history - are likely part of why Miami is moving on.
So what kind of deal might he command on the open market?
The projection from salary cap analysts puts Chubb in the $13 million to $15 million per year range, likely on a two-year deal. That would land him in the ballpark of a 2-year, $26 to $30 million contract - a solid payday, but not one that breaks the bank for a team desperate for edge help.
The Bucs have to weigh that cost carefully. They tried a similar approach last offseason when they signed Haason Reddick to a one-year, $14 million deal.
The hope was that Reddick, coming off a down year with the Jets, would bounce back and provide the spark off the edge that the defense needed. But injuries and inconsistency limited him to just 2.5 sacks over 13 games, and the signing ultimately fell flat.
Now, the front office has to decide: do they run it back with another veteran pass rusher approaching 30, or do they look elsewhere?
Why Chubb Could Still Make Sense
This isn’t a copy-and-paste situation. While Reddick was coming off a one-sack season when the Bucs took a chance on him, Chubb just posted 8.5 sacks and stayed healthy for a full season. He’s also a year younger than Reddick was when he signed, and his recent production - 19.5 sacks over his last two full seasons - speaks for itself.
There’s also some history here. The Bucs were reportedly high on Chubb ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft. That doesn’t mean they’ll automatically pursue him now, but it does suggest there’s familiarity with his game and what he brings to the table.
And then there’s the on-field evidence. Chubb has faced Tampa Bay twice in his career - once in 2020 with the Broncos, when he notched a tackle for loss and a QB hit, and again in December of last season, when he recorded two sacks and a forced fumble in a 20-17 Dolphins win over the Bucs. That kind of performance, especially in a head-to-head matchup, doesn’t go unnoticed.
A Need That Can’t Be Ignored
Tampa Bay has a rising talent in Yaya Diaby, who’s entering his fourth season and a contract year in 2026. But so far, Diaby looks more like a strong No. 2 option than a true No.
- The Bucs haven’t found that top-tier edge presence to pair with him - and that’s exactly what Chubb could be.
Yes, the injury history is a red flag. And yes, the price tag will be a factor.
But for a defense that’s been stuck in neutral when it comes to rushing the passer, this is the kind of move that could bring real results. Chubb isn’t just a name - he’s a player with a track record of disrupting offenses when he’s healthy.
If the Bucs want to take a step forward defensively in 2026, adding a proven pass rusher like Bradley Chubb might be the bold swing they need to take.