The Miami Dolphins are facing a major shake-up. Bradley Chubb is the first big-name player to be released, with more likely to follow.

The Miami Dolphins are facing a fresh start in the NFL. Not only is the Florida franchise entering the 2026 season with a new head coach and a new general manager, but the roster is also likely to change significantly. The old baggage is to be cleared away and a new identity built.

Now, the first notable player has fallen victim to the upcoming rebuild. Pass rusher Bradley Chubb has been released prematurely despite having a contract until 2027.

The Dolphins will have to swallow nearly $24 million in dead cap, but they will still save just over $7 million in cap space. Chubb had the third-highest cap hit on the Dolphins roster for 2026 at more than $31 million, but he was ultimately unable to justify it on the field.

Although the 29-year-old led his team with 8.5 sacks in the 2025 season, Chubb had been unable to maintain his former dominance since tearing his cruciate ligament in the final stages of the 2023 season. Chubb had been playing for Miami since 2022, having previously started his career with the Denver Broncos in 2018.

Miami Dolphins: What will happen to Tua?

Chubb was not the only prominent player Miami parted ways with. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who currently has a cap hit of more than $51 million, also has to pack his bags. The superstar would have entered the final year of his contract. More tough personnel decisions are likely to follow in South Beach in the coming weeks and months. The question of what will happen with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains open. General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan recently stated that a decision on the Hawaiian’s future is imminent.

Firing the playmaker would not make sense for financial reasons, as the dead cap would amount to an astronomical $99.2 million, nearly doubling the current cap hit. However, the Dolphins could save money by trading the quarterback. It is unclear whether a buyer will be found.