The Miami Dolphins have rebounded after their brutal Week 9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, winning four of their next five games and getting to a 5-7 record. While they're still a ways away from a playoff spot, the second-half bounce back is encouraging for 2026.
Mike McDaniel might've saved his job, and for the Dolphins pass rusher Bradley Chubb, who was subject to trade rumors at the deadline, his play during this winning streak is making the Dolphins' offseason decision a tricky one.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell highlighted Chubb as one of the individuals with the most at stake for the rest of the 2025 NFL season. With a $20 million contract in 2026, Chubb has a chance to prove he's worth that amount with a strong close to 2025.
Bradley Chubb's $20 million contract makes for 'interesting' Dolphins decision
"Chubb's due just over $20 million in 2026, a figure he might struggle to hit in free agency." Barnwell writes. "Would the Dolphins keep Chubb around at that rate? Would there be another team willing to trade for him without requiring a pay cut? It'll be easier for Chubb to stay on his existing deal if he finishes 2025 on the field and productive."
The Dolphins' star pass rusher is 29 years old and in the middle of his seventh season in the NFL. He lost the entire 2024 season due to a torn ACL, and has started all 12 games for the Dolphins this season.
So far, he has six sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 33 total tackles, six tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, and 15 total pressures this season.
While he's not as productive as he was with the Denver Broncos and the Dolphins in 2022 and 2023, he is playing at a decent level. But, not enough to justify his $20 million contract in 2026.
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With five more weeks left in the regular season, Chubb has a chance to finish out the year strong, add to his season totals, and prove he's worth the $20 million he's owed in 2026. In two of his last three games, he's had a sack, and against the Buffalo Bills, he had four quarterback hits on Josh Allen.
There's still a productive pass rusher with Chubb, but the main question that he will have to answer is whether he's worth $20 million for next season.
His last five matchups will provide a good opportunity to finish out the year on a good note. Chubb faces the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New England Patriots.
If Chubb can be productive in these final five games and prove he's worth the $20 million, then the Dolphins will have a much more interesting decision to make this offseason. Staying on this Dolphins deal would be ideal for Chubb, but he needs to prove to the Dolphins that it would be ideal for them as well.
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