Bradley Chubb Released: Should Eagles Target Vic Fangio's Former Edge Rusher?

The Fangio Connection

News broke during Monday's show: the Miami Dolphins are releasing edge rusher Bradley Chubb. For Eagles fans, the immediate connection is obvious — Chubb played under Vic Fangio in Denver, and the two share a deep professional relationship.

Last year, before the Eagles traded for Jaelan Phillips, some analysts actually preferred Chubb as the play. He's familiar with Fangio's scheme, he's a proven producer, and he was available. The Eagles went with Phillips instead, and that decision looks correct in hindsight. Phillips is younger, healthier, and produced at an elite level down the stretch.

The Role: Contingency, Not Starter

Let's be clear about what Chubb would be in Philadelphia: a depth piece. A third edge rusher in a rotation behind Phillips and Jalyx Hunt, with Nolan Smith still on the roster. He's not coming in to be the headliner.

At his best, Chubb is a legitimate starting-caliber edge defender. But durability has been a persistent concern, and his release from Miami signals that the Dolphins didn't see enough upside to justify his contract. For the Eagles, a veteran minimum or incentive-laden deal could make Chubb a smart insurance policy.

The Nolan Smith Factor

The more interesting subtext to Chubb's availability is what it says about Nolan Smith's trajectory. There's a growing sense that Smith, the 2023 first-round pick, may not be a long-term piece in Philadelphia. His ceiling remains intriguing, but the production hasn't consistently matched the draft capital.

If the Eagles eventually move on from Smith — whether via trade this offseason or simply letting him walk after his rookie deal — having a veteran like Chubb in the pipeline makes sense. Jalyx Hunt showed promising signs last year, but you can never have too many capable edge rushers in a Fangio defense.

The Bottom Line

Bradley Chubb is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have. The Eagles' pass rush priorities should be, in order: re-sign Jaelan Phillips, develop Jalyx Hunt, and evaluate Nolan Smith's future. If Chubb fits as a cost-effective fourth option, great. But he's not changing the equation.

The real edge rusher decision this offseason is Phillips or Crosby. Everything else is secondary. Chubb is a footnote — but in a league where depth wins championships, footnotes matter.