Feb. 16, 2026, 3:15 p.m. ET

A two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher has just hit the open market, and the Carolina Panthers should be on his trail.

According to multiple reports from Monday morning, the Miami Dolphins are releasing outside linebacker Bradley Chubb. Chubb, along with several other veterans including wide receiver Tyreek Hill, will be shed off the books in Miami—where an organizational reset is well underway.

But where will Chubb look for a reset of his own?

Well, how about in some familiar territory?

The former North Carolina State University star may be a perfect fit for the Panthers, whose pass rush has not been near the standard of president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan.

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“Our pass rush, obviously—to me, and everybody in the building will tell you—wasn’t up to par,” Morgan stated in an interview on WFNZ’s Mac & Bone last month. “We had the second-lowest pressure rate in the league this year. Obviously, that’s not acceptable. And if you’re not protecting the quarterback and you’re not affecting the quarterback, you’re not gonna win many games in this league—especially at a consistent level.”

As Morgan noted, the Panthers finished with the second-lowest pressure rate (16.5 percent)—as well as the third-fewest sacks (30)—in 2025. 2024 wasn’t much different, as they amassed the the lowest pressure rate (16.2 percent) and the third-fewest sacks (32).

Chubb could come back to North Carolina and help. The 29-year-old is a consistent producer, having amassed at least 7.5 sacks in each of his five healthy campaigns.

This past season, Chubb tallied 8.5 sacks and 48 pressures—one year removed from a torn ACL. The season before his setback, 2023, saw him post 11.0 sacks and a league-leading six six forced fumbles.

He also has a bit of experience with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero from 2022. Before being shipped to Miami in a midseason trade, Chubb played eight games under Evero in Denver—where he ripped off 5.5 sacks and 26 pressures.

Although Chubb may not be as splashy of an acquisition as Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson would be, he can still bring the Panthers some much-needed firepower off the edge.

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