{"id":758283,"date":"2026-02-17T12:58:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T12:58:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/758283\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T12:58:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T12:58:14","slug":"why-the-ny-jets-need-to-steer-clear-of-bradley-chubb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/758283\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the NY Jets need to steer clear of Bradley Chubb"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Monday, the New York Jets\u2019 division rival, the Miami Dolphins, released<\/a> defensive end Bradley Chubb, who played 41 games for the team.<\/p>\n

Sources: The #Dolphins<\/a> and two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb are parting ways, making the 29-year-old a free agent.<\/p>\n

In his two full seasons with the Dolphins (2023 & 2025), Chubb has 20 sacks, 8 FF, and 117 tackles. He should have a nice market. pic.twitter.com\/u19NEaBZV9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Entering free agency, edge rusher is one of the Jets\u2019 biggest needs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With the former first-round pick now a free agent, it might appear that Gang Green should covet Chubb this offseason.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why that is not the case.<\/p>\n

Why the Jets should not target Bradley Chubb<\/p>\n

After being selected by the Denver Broncos with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Chubb spent five seasons in Denver before being traded to the Dolphins alongside a fifth-round pick in exchange for running back Chase Edmonds, a first-round pick, and a fourth-round selection.<\/p>\n

Throughout 41 games with the Dolphins (40 starts), the NC State product posted 26 sacks, 170 total tackles, and 58 quarterback hits.<\/p>\n

The two-time Pro Bowler dominated for the Dolphins in 2023, collecting 11 sacks and 45 solo tackles while forcing a career-high six fumbles.<\/p>\n

However, towards the end of that season, he suffered a gruesome injury.<\/p>\n

In Week 17 of the 2023 season, when playing against the Baltimore Ravens, Chubb sustained a torn ACL, prompting him to miss the entirety of 2024.<\/p>\n

During his first year back from the ACL tear, the 29-year-old produced an up-and-down season.<\/p>\n

While starting all 17 of the team\u2019s games in 2025, Chubb totaled 8.5 sacks, 47 total tackles, and 20 QB hits.<\/p>\n

Despite the solid numbers in the box score, Chubb ultimately graded out poorly as both a pass rusher and a run defender. Per Pro Football Focus, his 60.3 pass-rush grade ranked 78th among 115 qualified edge rushers, and his 57.2 run-defense mark ranked 87th.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Chubb will be 30 by Week 1, and, evidenced by his uneven season following a serious injury, it doesn\u2019t appear that he has much left in the tank.<\/p>\n

While edge rusher is undoubtedly a significant need<\/a> for New York this offseason, they should be more focused on building through the draft.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s draft, where the Jets own four selections within the top 45 picks, has a very strong edge class.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you need an edge rusher, this is a good draft to double up,\u201d wrote NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah in a post on X\/Twitter. \u201cThe depth of the class is impressive. I\u2019ve got 10 guys worthy of a spot in the top 50 players. There\u2019s another layer of traitsy players beyond that group.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you need an edge rusher, this is a good draft to double up. The depth of the class is impressive. I’ve got 10 guys worthy of a spot in top 50 players. There’s another layer of traitsy players beyond that group.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Talented EDGE prospects like Arvell Reese<\/a>, Rueben Bain Jr.<\/a>, and David Bailey<\/a> are in play to be selected second overall by New York. If the Jets do not take an edge rusher second overall, there is enough depth at the position for New York to select one with the 16th or 33rd overall pick.<\/p>\n

The Jets\u2019 plan should be to land a top edge rusher in April\u2019s NFL draft and supplement that with a veteran addition in free agency. Given Chubb\u2019s age, injury history, and recent underwhelming production, he doesn\u2019t profile as a fit for that role.<\/p>\n