Bradley Chubb is a good football player. The New York Jets are in desperate need of finding good players for their team in 2026.

Does that make the Jets’ former division rival a perfect fit for their future?

Chubb was released by the Miami Dolphins on Monday, according to multiple reports. That leaves him free to sign with the Jets or any other team.

For a former fifth-overall pick, Chubb’s career hasn’t taken off as many had expected. Sure, he’s still a two-time Pro Bowl player, but his 48 sacks in eight seasons is nowhere close to what the Denver Broncos thought they were getting out of the NC State star.

After a midseason trade to Miami in 2022, the now 29-year-old’s career has seemingly reached an impasse. After three-and-a-half years in South Florida, the Dolphins released Chubb to clear cap space ahead of the 2026 offseason.

For a team in the Jets’ situation, Chubb is undoubtedly a free agent worth considering.

But is he the kind of player New York should ultimately sign?

That question is a little more complex.

Jets’ free agent needs

Outside of their obvious hole at quarterback, the biggest need the Jets must solve this offseason is at edge rusher. Former first-round picks Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald have not developed as much as the organization had hoped, for various reasons.

The Jets must find players who can not only rush the passer consistently but also defend the run at a high level.

Coming off a torn ACL in 2024, Chubb didn’t have the best season last year despite a respectable 8.5-sack campaign. His Pro Football Focus grade was rated at an abysmal 54.5, ranking 107th out of 129 qualified edge rushers in the league.

Those numbers may scare off some teams. Despite the sack total, Chubb wasn’t a productive overall player, contributing to Miami’s defensive struggles.

However, Chubb could benefit from moving into a new system, especially with another year to recover from his ACL tear. He showed he can still finish plays on the quarterback, and while his run defense wasn’t great, it is still markedly better than the likes of Will McDonald. Plus, his age and declining production could theoretically lower his price for interested teams, making him a lower-risk investment.

New York should be one of those interested teams.

The Jets can’t be picky about which players they target right now. With a barren wasteland of talent on a defense that was one of the worst in football, any player that could have been considered “good” at any point in their career should be an instant “yes” for the team.

As always, money will be the big factor here.

If Chubb commands a contract that pays him among the top players at his position, the Jets should steer clear. There is too much risk involved to justify that type of commitment. But on a one-year deal for a fair salary, Chubb makes sense for the Jets.

For Chubb, getting the chance to play for a team like the Jets, which will need to give him significant snaps, could put him back in line for a mega deal in 2027.

The Jets are desperate for any type of impact off the edge. Chubb needs to be on their radar.