Chop, Kamara, Chubb, Phillips & Goode make up the Phins edge group
The Miami Dolphins have made two moves that say that Chris Grier has set his plan for the defensive edge group, hinting at his direction this offseason. Restructuring Brandon Chubb and tendering of Cameron Goode, Grier brought cap relief pre-June 1st to use in Free Agency and to fill out his edge group, allowing him to focus his assets on the many other areas of this team that need addressing.
Now, there is a price to be paid and risk for the Chubb restructure considering the commitment, but if the dice fall right, for this season, it will be a winner… if lady luck shines on the Phins.
The concern is you can bet with the best pay per head that lady luck and the Dolphins don’t often hook up.
Chubb brings size & talent to a thin Phins D-front
The Chubb restructure lowers his sizable base salary of $21 million to a more manageable level that hasn’t yet been disclosed. Chubb’s locked in money of nearly $28 million isn’t going anywhere and about $9 million of that money, plus whatever his base salary with be his cap hit. The production and incentive-based money will apply to the 2026 Season, so the Dolphins freed up possible as much as $20 million if Chubb is playing for the veteran minimum.
One the downside, the Dolphins will be on the hook in 2026 for whatever bonuses accrued this season plus the remained guaranteed money of $18 million.
Chubb brings much needed run defense to the edge defender group
Chubb is a big man at nearly 270lbs and despite the concern that his long recovery from his 3rd ACL injury will slow him down, his run defense isn’t much of a concern. With the loss of Calais Campbell, the Dolphins lack grit in the rush defense. Chop Robinson was a defensive rookie of the year candidate for his pass rushing skills, but he struggled in stopping the run as did fellow rookie, Mo Kamara. With Jalen Phillips never stellar at run defense and coming off his second consecutive injury on the same leg, Chubb brings some balance to the defense.
The tendering of Cameron Goode, who is also recovering from a knee injury, brings depth to the edge unit and bigger player to help in run stop and take the load off the rest of the unit. Goode isn’t a star, but he’s played solidly and is dependable in limited duties.
In the bubble of everyone being healthy, this unit is now filled out enough for Week 1 without any more additions.
Edge isn’t a priority now, so Grier can focus on other areas
With Jevon Holland leaving in Free Agency, Cam Smith being injured and playing poorly, and the release of Kendall Fuller, the secondary is bare along with the defensive interior, beyond Zach Sieler. This allows Grier to focus Free Agent money and draft ammo on these areas, and he’ll need to shoot both straight and often to get these units right.
There are still a ton of holes on offense and defense, but theoretically, there at least now there’s one less. Let’s see how Grier & Co. play there hand. Go Phins!!!