The Green Bay Packers will need to look at addressing their pass rush depth in 2026 NFL free agency, and a couple of old friends in Miami may have just gifted them an ideal target.
The Miami Dolphins are a team in transition, and they're being run by the brain trust of former Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan and former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Those two are now in the GM and head coach seats with the Dolphins, respectively, and they have reportedly made the first of many big moves this offseason by releasing veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb.
Chubb is 29 going on 30 this summer, and although he's perhaps rounding out the back nine of his NFL career, he could still be a great short-term addition for a lot of teams, maybe especially the Green Bay Packers.
Bradley Chubb could be a great option for Packers to consider after Dolphins release
One of the most appealing things about a player that's been released by an NFL team is the fact that signing them doesn't affect the compensatory draft pick formula, and that could be a major factor for the Packers this year in free agency.
The Packers are poised to potentially let players like offensive tackle Rasheed Walker and quarterback Malik Willis walk in free agency, and the average annual salaries those guys command on the open market could land the Packers multiple third-round compensatory picks in 2027 if they play their cards right.
Signing a player like Chubb could help them keep that compensatory formula intact, and the motivation for signing Chubb would be to fortify depth off the edge and bring a veteran presence opposite Micah Parsons.
Nobody knows the exact timeline of Parsons' return to the field, but in an optimistic world, he's back for Week 1 of the 2026 season. If that's the case, a player like Chubb can take advantage of the opportunities you get when you play opposite a player like Parsons. Chubb missed the 2024 season due to injury, but still has 19.5 sacks, 42 QB hits, and 8 forced fumbles over his last two seasons played (2023, 2025).
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He had 20 QB hits this past season, showing he's still got the ability to produce off the edge despite his injury history.
And because of the combination of his age and injury history, you might be able to get him at a very reasonable price overall.
Chubb will have no shortage of suitors given the timing of his release and the number of teams needing help in the pass rush department, but you would have to think the Packers stand a good chance of winning a competition like that if they're interested. They are a contending team with an elite pass rusher already in place.
The Packers could be looking at a scenario where they release a veteran like Rashan Gary, and move forward with another veteran on a cheaper contract like Chubb. Chubb's availability might even push them to make that decision to let go of Gary and get going on replacement options.