FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The confetti has barely been swept off the Levi’s Stadium turf following the 29-13 Super Bowl LX loss to Seattle, but the New England Patriots front office is already on the clock. The biggest takeaway from that brutal Sunday? The pass rush vanished when it mattered most.
While the offense struggled to protect Drake Maye, the defense couldn’t return the favor. New England managed just 35 sacks in the regular season—ranking near the league basement—and that lack of pressure exposed the secondary against the Seahawks. Now, a solution just hit the market. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Miami Dolphins are releasing two-time Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb to escape a massive $31.2 million cap hit.
The Pass Rush Problem
Let’s be real: The Patriots overachieved in 2025. Harold Landry was a revelation, signing that three-year deal last March and immediately leading the defense with 8.5 sacks. But Landry can’t do it alone. His lingering knee issues late in the season limited his snap count in the playoffs, and the rotation behind him is thin.
K’Lavon Chaisson had a career renaissance in Foxborough, but he’s hitting free agency and will command a bag the Patriots might not want to pay. If Chaisson walks, the edge becomes a barren wasteland. This defense needs a proven disruptor who can win 1-on-1s without needing a blitz package to free him up.
Why Chubb Makes Sense
Bradley Chubb isn’t just a name; he’s a fit. Despite the narrative that he’s “injury-prone,” Chubb just started all 17 games for Miami in 2025. He tallied 8.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits coming off a torn ACL. That’s resilience. He played with a chip on his shoulder, and he looked explosive.
Chubb fits the profile of what this defense lacks: raw power and versatility. He has 48 career sacks in 90 games. He understands the division. And most importantly, he just got cut by a rival. There is no stronger motivator in the NFL than sticking it to the team that gave up on you.
“We need to get home. That’s the bottom line. You can’t give quarterbacks four, five seconds in this league and expect to win a ring. We saw that in Santa Clara.”
— Unnamed Patriots Defensive Starter, via WEEI
NHANFL Verdict
The Patriots have the cap space. They have the “winning culture” pitch, fresh off an AFC Championship run. Chubb needs a home where he can rotate, stay fresh, and chase a ring. This isn’t about signing a savior; it’s about finding the guy who makes Harold Landry and Christian Gonzalez better. If Eliot Wolf wants to get back to the big game—and actually win it this time—he needs to pick up the phone.
