MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The teardown isn’t coming; it’s here. Hours after reports surfaced that the Miami Dolphins are undergoing a “complete transformation,” the franchise made its first massive move of the 2026 offseason: releasing star pass rusher Bradley Chubb. With head coach Mike McDaniel already gone and the front office swept clean, the focus now shifts to the most polarizing figure in South Florida—quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
This isn’t just a retooling; it’s a demolition. After a disastrous 2025 campaign that saw the team spiral to a 2-7 start and finish with their franchise quarterback on the bench, Miami is prioritizing financial flexibility over loyalty. The goal? Survive the salary cap hell and field a competitive roster by September.
Chubb Gone: The Price of Flexibility
Bradley Chubb’s exit marks the official end of the “all-in” era. The math simply didn’t work. Chubb accounted for over $31 million against the 2026 cap—a figure the new regime refused to swallow for a roster full of holes. By cutting him, Miami eats dead money but gains the breathing room needed to attack free agency.
Chubb didn’t leave without a fight. After missing the entire 2024 season with an injury, he returned in 2025 to prove he still had gas in the tank. He started all 17 games, racking up 47 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Solid numbers? Absolutely. Worth $31 million on a rebuilding team? clearly not.
Bradley Chubb’s Rollercoaster in Miami:
- 2022: 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks (8 games)
- 2023: 74 tackles, 11.0 sacks, 6 forced fumbles (Career Year)
- 2024: 0 games (Injury)
- 2025: 47 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
The Tua Dilemma: $200 Million Question
If Chubb was the first domino, Tagovailoa might be the biggest. The quarterback’s future hangs by a thread after a 2025 season that oscillated between gritty recovery and total collapse. Tagovailoa threw for 2,660 yards and 20 touchdowns, but his 15 interceptions and an 88.4 rating forced the coaching staff to make the unthinkable call: benching him down the stretch.
Rumors are swirling that Miami is actively shopping the former first-round pick. But trading him is complicated. The cap hit is massive, and his inconsistent tape from 2025—compounded by the team’s offensive struggles—has likely cooled the market. Yet, for a franchise desperate to turn the page, moving on from Tua seems less like a “maybe” and more like a “when.”
“It feels like a funeral in here today. We knew changes were coming after Mike [McDaniel] left, but seeing a captain like Chubb walk out the door? That hits different. Nobody is safe. If you aren’t producing, you’re gone.”
— Anonymous Dolphins Veteran
2025: The Season That Broke the Camel’s Back
To understand why Miami is burning it down, look at the wreckage of 2025. The team opened with a horrific 2-7 run, costing General Manager Chris Grier his job mid-season. Champ Kelly stepped in to stop the bleeding, but the damage was done.
Injuries played a villainous role. Tyreek Hill, usually the offense’s lightning rod, was limited to just four games and 265 yards. Without him, the passing attack sputtered. The lone bright spot was De’Von Achane, who exploded for 1,350 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod. Jaylen Waddle remained a steady hand with 910 yards, but the explosive plays that defined the Dolphins’ offense were nonexistent.
What’s Next: The 2026 Rebuild
The priority is clear: clear the books. With Chubb off the roster, expect Miami to target younger, cheaper talent in the upcoming draft to pair with Achane and Waddle. The defense needs a new identity, and the offense needs a quarterback—whether that’s a rookie or a bridge veteran remains the mystery.
For Dolphins fans, the message is harsh but necessary. The window has closed. The renovation has begun.
