Dolphins make smart call with two-time Pro Bowler's restructure

Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb. Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Dolphins make smart call with two-time Pro Bowler's contract restructure

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Mar 5, 2025 8:33 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins have managed to keep edge-rusher Bradley Chubb at the right price.

On Wednesday, Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz tweeted Chubb and the Dolphins have agreed to a reduction in his base salary. According to Schultz, the two-time Pro Bowler, "can still earn his full $21M compensation through various playtime and sack incentives, and this ensures he stays in Miami."

Sources: The #Dolphins and 2x Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb have agreed to a reduction in his base salary to remain with the team after missing last season due to injury.

Chubb, who is fully recovered from the ACL injury, can still earn his full $21 million compensation… pic.twitter.com/rDPkg1Chfr
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 5, 2025

Chubb — who didn't play in 2024 because of a knee injury — was considered a potential salary-cap casualty before the contract restructure.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel's David Furones reported the Dolphins would have received $19.5M in cap savings if they cut him with a post-June 1 designation.

When healthy, Chubb can still be a defensive difference-maker. In 16 games in the 2023 regular season, the 28-year-old tied for 15th in the league in sacks (11) and tied for first in forced fumbles (six).

However, he's injury-prone. He has battled knee, ankle, and shoulder issues in six seasons with the Denver Broncos and Dolphins.

Incentivizing Chubb to get healthier again may help him recapture his elite form. If he does, that could propel the Dolphins defense, which finished 10th in the league in points allowed (21.4) in 2024.

Chubb and fellow Dolphins edge-rusher Chop Robinson could form a formidable duo. During his rookie season in 2024, Robinson had six sacks, eight tackles for loss and 14 QB hits in 17 games.

This move seems like a win for both parties. Chubb gets another opportunity to salvage his career with Miami, while the Dolphins save cap space before free agency starts March 12 at 4 p.m. ET. Miami must upgrade its roster after it went 8-9 and missed the playoffs last season.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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