The Dolphins’ New Look Begins To Take Shape

The Dolphins’ New Look Begins To Take Shape

As the new regime takes control of the franchise, we’ve seen the first step in shaping it towards their vision. Bradley Chubb, whom the Dolphins traded a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick for back in 2022, has been released after two and a half seasons with the club. He missed the entire 2024 campaign after suffering a torn ACL late in the 2023 season. 

Chubb was productive for the team when healthy, tallying 22.5 sacks in 41 games. The 2023 season was by far his best in Miami as he recorded 11 sacks, 22 QB Hits, 6 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. Unfortunately, he was unable to return to form in 2025, only recording 8.5 sacks, 20 QB Hits, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. 

His release marks the first move in what many expect to be a flurry of adjustments as general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley look to revamp the team to their liking. Tyreek Hill being released was the next big move by the duo, helping the team get under the salary cap for 2026. 

Barry Jackson lays out the reasoning and likely future on Twitter. 

“Bradley Chubb’s release is first step of major Dolphins rebuild. As we reported last week, those who have talked to Sullivan say this will be a significant overhaul. Franchise will be built around a select number of players already here and many draft picks in years to come.” He Wrote. 

“The expected Tyreek Hill release will just about get Miami to cap compliance, but obviously more moves are needed to to create space to functionally build a roster with low priced veteran additions (and perhaps Willis) to supplement what’s left and this year’s draft class.” 

Minkah Fitzpatrick could also be on the chopping block, as he’s 30 years old, and it is doubtful he is looking to be a part of a rebuild. While releasing Tua Tagovailoa seems out of the question considering his massive $99,200,000 in dead cap, I do expect the Dolphins to look for a trade partner who will take on some of that salary in a similar move to when the Cleveland Browns took Brock Osweiler off of the Houston Texans’ hands, along with Osweiler they also received a second and sixth round pick to sweeten the deal.

Ultimately, Osweiler didn’t make the team out of camp and returned to the Denver Broncos before ending his career with the Dolphins. 

It is exciting to watch the new regime begin to reshape the team, though it is also sad to see players who were a big part of the team over the past few years leave. It’s akin to ripping the band-aid off; there’s no use in doing it slowly. You have to quickly remove it in order to avoid drawn-out pain.

Hopefully, when all of the band-aids are torn off, they will reveal a healed franchise; only time will tell.