Bradley Chubb’s contract extension makes division tougher for Jets
Two days after getting dealt to the Miami Dolphins, edge rusher Bradley Chubb cashed in on a contract extension and will be a force in the AFC East beyond 2022.
Chubb and the Dolphins agreed to a five-year, $110 million extension on Thursday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The new deal includes $63.2 million in guaranteed money and a maximum contract value of $111.25 million with incentives.
The deal keeps Chubb in the AFC East through the 2027 season, making important division battles for the Jets even more difficult.
Chubb bolsters a Dolphins’ lineup that is already filled with talent. When Tua Tagovailoa has been healthy this season, he’s shown that he can get the ball to his speedy receivers and put up big numbers against opposing defenses — most recently totaling 382 yards and throwing three touchdown passes against the Detroit Lions last Sunday.
On the defensive side, the Dolphins aren’t as dynamic but Chubb’s additions could bolster their unit. The Dolphins currently rank 23rd in sacks per game (1.9) and 27th in pressures with just 69 on the season. Pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah has had a good tenure in Miami so far, racking up nine sacks in each of the past two seasons. But the defense hasn’t been able to get to the quarterback this season as he only has one sack in seven games. Bringing Chubb into the mix makes his new teammates’ job easier and poses trouble for opposing offensive lines — like the Jets.
The Jets O-Line isn’t an area of great strength and the team still has questions if or when left tackle George Fant will return this season. Max Mitchell is scheduled to come off injured reserve this week and should be in play for a Week 18 matchup against the Dolphins. Unfortunately for the Jets, Chubb’s addition allows the Dolphins to pressure without sending blitzes and take stress off an overburdened secondary.
Also, the addition makes the playoff picture a bit tougher for the Jets. They are currently tied for the fifth spot in the AFC, with the Chargers just one game behind in the final playoff spot. With the Bills likely to run away with the AFC East division, a better Dolphins squad will make the Jets’ first playoff appearance since 2010 a bit tougher.
The Dolphins also acquired running back Jeff Wilson Jr. for a 2023 fifth-round to replace Chase Edmonds, who was sent to Denver in the Chubb trade.
The moves are a clear indication that the Dolphins positioned themselves to make a playoff run and even head coach Robert Saleh had to give credit.
“Miami did a really nice job, I feel like they’ve done a really nice job with their draft capital,” Saleh said.
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