Miami Has a Bradley Chubb Problem

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On November 1st, 2022, Miami dealt a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 fourth-round pick and running back Chase Edmonds to the Denver Broncos in exchange for linebacker Bradley Chubb in a move that Miami thought would help their pass rush. Fast forward 11 months, the question is was that trade worth it? What has Miami gotten out of Bradley Chubb? This is something that we need to have a conversation about. 

Production:

Production, or lack there of, for Bradley Chubb has been the biggest issue since coming to Miami. Chubb has recorded just 3.5 sacks in 11 games with the team but what makes matters worse is the fact that since joining the Dolphins in Week 9 of last season, Bradley Chubb's pass-rush win rate is 7%, which ranks 51st among 59 qualifying edge defenders (via PFF). 

Chubb is paid to be an elite edge rusher so when you play elite tackles, you still need to produce. 
Week 1: Rashawn Slater vs Bradley Chubb:
  • 24 pass-blocking snaps
  • 0 pressures allowed

Chubb's best game as a Dolphin came in Week 2 against a bad Patriots offensive line 

  • 7 tackles
  • 1 sack
  • 2 TFL
  •  2 QB hits
  •  1 forced fumble
Week 3 against the Broncos?
  • 1 tackle
  • 1 QB hit
Week 4 against the Bills?
  • 2 tackles
  • 1 QB hit

The Contract:

When Miami traded as much as it did for Chubb, you knew that he was going to get paid. Two days after the trade, Chubb signed a 5 year, $110,000,000 contract, including a $13,487,445 signing bonus, $53,212,445 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $22,000,000 which current sits at 7th in the league in AAV. AKA, Miami is paying Bradley Chubb to be an elite pass rusher. Something that he clearly has not been since joining the team. 

Graph curiosity of Overthecap.com

Looking at Chubb's contract, he's going to be a Dolphin for the foreseeable future thanks in part to the contract restructure the team did last off-season to create cap room. The only way Miami saves serious money on this deal this off-season is if the team trades him after June 1st but that probably won't happen. The team might have to do it again this off-season to save $14,043,750 in cap space but would that be wise? Probably not considering what Chubb has done so far as a Dolphin but at the same time it might be necessary considering the salary cap situation the Dolphins are in. 


So now what?:

Now the Dolphins need to get something out of Bradley Chubb because he is going to be a member of the Miami Dolphins until at least 2025 at the earliest (if the team is willing to eat dead money). The Dolphins next two opponents are the Giants and Panthers, neither team has done well protecting the QB so hopefully Chubb and the other Dolphins rushers not named AVG can turn their game up. 
  • Through 4 games the Giants have allowed 23 sacks including 11 (ELEVEN!!!) on Monday Night Football to Seattle 
  • Through 4 games the Panthers have allowed 14 sacks 
Miami HAS to generate a pass rush and a lot of that comes from Bradley Chubb. He is your highest paid player on the team at this moment and if you are going to own that title, you need to step up and be the dominant player the team signed you to be. Does the Dolphins defense as a whole need to be better? Absolutely. But if you're the one making the big bucks AND had a 1st round pick + traded for you, you need to play better than the 51st ranked pass rusher in pass rush win rate.