If there was any doubt that Adam Peters is ready to reshape the Washington Commanders' pass rush, this offseason should put that to rest. With cap space to work with and a new defensive identity under coordinator Daronte Jones, Washington is in prime position to get aggressive-and one intriguing name just hit the open market.
Bradley Chubb is available. The Commanders should be paying attention.
The Miami Dolphins have officially parted ways with Chubb, a move that comes with a hefty financial hit-$23.85 million in dead money, to be exact. But that’s the cost of flexibility in today’s NFL, and for Washington, it could open the door to a high-upside addition at a position of need.
Let’s start with the basics: Chubb is a two-time Pro Bowler who’s proven he can still produce. He played all 17 games in 2025 and racked up 8.5 sacks despite a less-than-ideal situation in Miami. That kind of durability and disruption doesn’t grow on trees, especially when you’re trying to retool a defense that struggled to pressure the quarterback consistently.
Scheme fit matters-and Chubb checks the box.
Washington is expected to shift to a 3-4 base under Jones, and Chubb has experience in that setup. He’s not just a pass rusher; he’s a versatile edge who can drop into coverage when needed and set the edge against the run. That kind of versatility is crucial in today’s NFL, where hybrid fronts and disguised pressures are becoming the norm.
Yes, Chubb will turn 30 before the 2026 season. That’s not nothing-especially considering how last year’s veteran additions didn’t exactly pan out for Peters.
But there’s reason to believe Chubb’s best football might still be ahead of him. Players often need a full season to bounce back after a major injury, and 2025 looked like a step in the right direction.
The burst is still there. The instincts are intact.
And with another year removed from his previous setbacks, there’s a good chance we see a more confident, more explosive version of Chubb this fall.
This wouldn’t be a cure-all, but it could be a cornerstone.
Adding Chubb doesn’t instantly solve all of Washington’s defensive issues. But it would be a strong step in the right direction-especially if Peters pairs him with a younger edge rusher via the draft or another free-agent pickup. The Commanders have the cap space to make a competitive offer, and unlike some other potential suitors, they can offer Chubb a featured role in a defense that’s being rebuilt from the ground up.
That kind of opportunity matters to players. Chubb wouldn’t just be another piece in Washington-he’d be a foundational one.
A tone-setter. And in a system designed to get the most out of edge players, he could thrive.
There’s no guarantee Peters pulls the trigger here. But if he’s serious about upgrading the pass rush-and all signs point to that being a top priority-then Bradley Chubb deserves a long look. He’s available, he fits the scheme, and he brings the kind of veteran presence that can elevate a young, evolving defense.
Put him on the shortlist. This could be a fit that makes sense for both sides.