Why Dolphins will regret cutting Bradley Chubb after $52.5 million Bills deal

The Miami Dolphins have been cutting ties with a lot of key veterans this offseason. The two most noteworthy releases were Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa. Those two cuts have brought over $100 million in dead cap space to Miami's books this offseason.

But that wasn't all they moved on from. While the intra-division Minkah Fitzpatrick trade to the New York Jets was an odd one, the release of Bradley Chubb is another tough pill for the Dolphins to swallow.

While Miami didn't have much of a choice but to cut Chubb to save cap space, this is a move that they might end up regretting. As Bleacher Reports' Kristopher Knox noted, this cap casualty is one the Dolphins will come to regret.

Why Dolphins will regret Bradley Chubb cut

"Still, moving on from pass-rusher Bradley Chubb made far less sense than cutting wideout Tyreek Hill, who is recovering from a torn ACL," Knox writes. "... New head coach Jeff Hafley may now struggle to generate a quality pass rush in his first season. To make matters worse, Chubb quickly signed with the rival Buffalo Bills."

Moving on from Chubb was something the Dolphins, realistically, had no other choice but to do. Tagovailoa's $99.2 million dead cap hit, spread out over the 2026 and 2027 seasons thanks to a post-June 1 designation, forced this issue for Miami.

But, despite being forced into such a move, it doesn't take away from how this will negatively impact the team going forward.

Chubb was one of their better pass rushers, totaling 8.5 sacks and 43 tackles with eight tackles for loss and 20 quarterback hits in 17 games last season.

With Jaelan Phillips gone in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, and now Chubb released, the Dolphins are left with only Chop Robinson to carry the load as a pass rusher.

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Miami needs to bolster this room going forward, and while the 2026 season isn't going to be a contending one, it's a major issue alongside quarterback, offensive line, wide receiver, tight end, and cornerback.

The Dolphins' pass rusher room is now barren, and not being able to land anything for moving on from Chubb is the real kicker for Miami.

And with Chubb going to the AFC East rival Bills on a three-year, $52.5 million max-value contract, the decision to cut Chubb looks even worse.

Even though the Dolphins' release of Chubb is one that the team might come to regret, as Knox noted, it was a move that had to happen thanks to the massive Tagovailoa contract.

The 2026 season might be an ugly one for Miami, and the release of Chubb, a still-quality pass rusher, is a great example of why this situation is a tough one for Miami.

More Dolphins news:

• Jaylen Waddle reveals he is going nowhere amid trade rumors
• De'Von Achane expected to have extension talks with Dolphins
• Tua Tagovailoa is big winner of free agency after joining Falcons
• Dolphins agree to $67.5 million deal with Malik Willis
• Dolphins trade Minkah Fitzpatrick to Jets for late round pick
• Tua Tagovailoa will have $60+ million cap hit for Dolphins in 2026