The Miami Dolphins desperately need a pass rush. Chop Robinson desperately needs to prove he can become one.
Those two storylines could collide Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Robinson returned to practice Wednesday as he works through the NFL’s concussion protocol, putting him on track to potentially return against Kansas City. It is his third known concussion in the past calendar year after suffering two during the 2025 season. His latest occurred during practice last week and forced him to miss Miami’s loss to San Francisco.
Obviously, Robinson’s long-term health comes first. But once he’s medically cleared, the football reality is becoming difficult to ignore.
If Not NOW, When Will Chop Prove Himself?
Miami’s pass rush essentially doesn’t exist right now.
Through two games, the Dolphins have recorded zero sacks, and after the San Francisco loss, Jeff Hafley acknowledged that Miami’s attempts to generate pressure simply haven’t worked.
Miami drafted him 21st overall in 2024 because of his explosive first step and enormous pass-rushing potential. He flashed that ability immediately, recording six sacks and 14 quarterback hits as a rookie, but those numbers fell to four sacks and seven quarterback hits last season. Hafley entered 2026 openly talking about developing Robinson into an every-down player rather than merely an athletic pass-rush specialist.
Week 1 didn’t provide the breakthrough Miami was hoping for. Robinson finished with only one assisted tackle against Las Vegas, and Hafley later described him as somewhat hesitant, particularly when setting the edge.
Now comes the difficult part.
End of the Line or Beginning of the Start?
Robinson is still only 23, so this isn’t “now or never” in terms of having an NFL career. But it’s getting awfully close to now or never for the Dolphins to find out whether he can become the player they envisioned.
After this season, Miami must decide whether to exercise Robinson’s fifth-year option. Availability therefore becomes part of the evaluation alongside production. Three concussions in roughly a year are concerning regardless of football, and Robinson can’t establish himself as Miami’s premier edge defender if he cannot consistently remain on the field.
Against Kansas City, the Dolphins don’t necessarily need Robinson to suddenly become a double-digit-sack superstar.
You can bet with the best pay per head that they need evidence.
Win an edge. Collapse a pocket. Force the quarterback to move. Show the violence against the run that Hafley saw during camp. Give this defense something it currently lacks: a pass rusher the opposing offense actually has to account for.
Robinson still possesses the physical talent that made him a first-round pick.
But Year 3 is no longer about potential alone.
First, he needs to get healthy. Then he needs to stay healthy. And once he’s cleared, it’s time for that potential to start becoming production.
