Could Bradley Chubb Be the Answer to the Titans’ Pass Rush Problem?
With over $100 million in cap space to work with - the most in the league - new Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi is stepping into free agency with both flexibility and urgency. One of the biggest needs on his checklist?
Rebuilding a pass rush that’s currently more question mark than exclamation point. And with Bradley Chubb hitting the open market in a surprise move, Tennessee suddenly has another intriguing option to consider.
Let’s break it down.
Titans Have the Cap, and the Need
The Titans are entering the offseason with a glaring hole at EDGE. There’s not a single starting-caliber edge rusher under contract.
Dre’Mont Jones was dealt midseason for draft capital. Arden Key and Jihad Ward are pending free agents.
Femi Oladejo showed flashes as a rookie but struggled with consistency and injuries - not exactly the kind of foundation you want to lean on heading into a critical year.
Tennessee needs to add at least two impact players on the edge, and that includes a proven veteran presence. Even if they use the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on a pass rusher - a real possibility - Borgonzi and head coach Robert Saleh can’t afford to bank on a rookie to anchor the position group.
Enter Bradley Chubb: High Ceiling, Risky Floor
On Monday, the Miami Dolphins unexpectedly released Bradley Chubb, making the veteran pass rusher one of the most notable names available. And while Chubb’s career has been defined as much by injuries as it has by production, there’s no denying what he brings when healthy.
Chubb has torn the ACL in each knee - first in 2019, then again in 2023, the latter costing him the entire season. But what he did before that injury in 2023 turned heads: 11.0 sacks, a career high, and the kind of disruptive presence that can change the complexion of a defense. Fast forward to this past season, and despite coming off a year-long layoff, Chubb still managed 8.5 sacks - a strong indicator that he’s still got gas in the tank.
For a Titans team in desperate need of juice off the edge, that kind of production is hard to ignore.
Is Chubb a Fit in Tennessee?
This is where things get interesting. Borgonzi has emphasized durability in his approach to free agency, and Chubb’s injury history is no secret.
Two ACL tears are tough to overlook, especially for a team trying to build a more stable, long-term core. That could make Chubb a tougher sell in Tennessee, despite the need.
But there’s also the upside to consider. Chubb has shown he can bounce back from major injuries and still produce at a high level.
He’s a former Pro Bowler with a strong track record when healthy - and at just 30 years old, he’s not over the hill. If the Titans are looking for a veteran who can step in and lead a young, retooled pass rush, Chubb checks a lot of boxes.
The Market Won’t Be Quiet
Of course, Tennessee won’t be the only team interested. The Philadelphia Eagles are already being linked as a potential landing spot, thanks to Chubb’s prior connection with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. That kind of familiarity could give Philly a leg up in the chase.
Still, the Titans have something few other teams can offer: cap space. With over $100 million at their disposal, they can afford to be aggressive. Whether that means targeting Chubb or going after other names like Trey Hendrickson, Kwity Paye, Boye Mafe, or Jaelan Phillips, Borgonzi has options - and the resources to make a splash.
Final Word
This offseason is shaping up to be a defining one for the Titans’ new regime. The defense needs reinforcements, especially on the edge, and the front office has the flexibility to make meaningful upgrades. Bradley Chubb brings both risk and reward - a high-upside veteran with a history of production and injuries alike.
If Tennessee believes the medicals check out, Chubb could be the kind of calculated gamble that pays off big. But if health remains a red flag, expect Borgonzi to keep scanning the market.
Either way, one thing’s clear: the Titans’ pass rush will look very different in 2026. The only question is who will be leading it.