Free agency is set to begin in just a few weeks, and some teams are already making roster purges to prepare, with the Dolphins leading the way. With a new coaching staff and the philosophy that comes with it, they began making some big cuts on Monday, with some names that perked the ears of Patriots fans.
The most intriguing of all is defensive end Bradley Chubb, who spent the four seasons in Miami and could be a solid addition to the Patriots' pass rush.
The 29-year-old was a first-round draft pick in 2018 and hasn't always played like his draft status, but he could be what their defense needs in the midst of their retooling, especially if they're unsure about bringing back K'Lavon Chaisson or how Harold Landry III might fare after potentially having surgery this offseason.
Signing him after he most recently played for a divisional rival would be pretty sweet, too.
Bradley Chubb might be exactly what the Patriots need for their defense
Chubb has had an up-and-down career over the past eight years, but has been voted into the Pro Bowl twice and has recorded double-digit sacks in multiple seasons.
That's the kind of production the Patriots have been lacking since trading away Matthew Judon nearly two years ago, and Chubb could immediately bring that back to the defense this upcoming season.
Just last season, he recorded 47 combined tackles, eight for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 8.5 sacks. That's on par with what the Patriots got out of their pass rushers in 2025, but Chubb has shown he can do much more than that and might be worth a flier to see if he still can.
That's especially interesting if the Patriots aren't able to pull off a blockbuster trade for someone like Maxx Crosby, or if Trey Hendrickson doesn't reach free agency. They're a favorite to use their first-round pick on a defensive end this year, but if they want a veteran instead, Chubb could be one of their most realistic options.
He might be even cheaper than anticipated, too, given he missed the 2024 season with a torn ACL, and teams might be more hesitant to bring him on board. That's certainly a risk the Patriots need to consider, but they also need to improve their pass rush, and he fits that need.
At the very least, they should consider what Chubb could do for their team. Maybe he's not the right guy, but given their other free agent options, he needs to be near the top of the list.