The Dolphins and Jets are once again the top contenders for a prime target ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
This time, the player in question is on the defensive side of the ball: Broncos pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, a player for whom Denver has reportedly garnered significant trade interest.
Chubb has 5.5 sacks through eight games this season, including multiple-sack games against the Seahawks and Colts, both of which resulted in low-scoring defeats. Chubb spoke about potentially being the subject of trade rumors ahead of Denver’s London game against Jacksonville, saying he was only interested in his own team.
That said, he did express appreciation for being able to garner that attention in the first place.
MORE: 12 players who could be moved ahead of the NFL trade deadline
“I’m not even thinking about that, bro,” Chubb said Friday. “I’m just focused on these guys right here, orange, white and blue. Be the best leader, got the ‘C’ on my chest for a reason. Captains don’t let stuff get to them. They don’t sweat under pressure.
“It’s good to have that come up. … It’s just cool to be in a position where the interest comes in,” Chubb added. “At the end of the day, I just let all that stuff be handled by the people who handle it. I just go out here and do what I can.”
It’s worth noting the Broncos pulled a similar move ahead of last season’s trade deadline, dealing Von Miller — who, like Chubb, was in the last year of his contract — to the eventual Super Bowl champion Rams. Would Denver pull the same move twice?
The Sporting News has the latest on the trade rumors and potential destinations for Chubb with the trade deadline looming:
Here’s the latest on the Browns and their potentially ex-Browns running back:
Will the Broncos trade Bradley Chubb?
Depending on the price, the Broncos almost certainly would like to trade Chubb amid a disappointing 3-5 start. The fifth-year player is in the final season of his rookie contract, and at a premier position in the modern NFL.
Despite that, Chubb has not managed to recreate his breakout rookie season from 2018, when he established career highs in tackles (60), tackles for loss (14), sacks (12), forced fumbles (two), fumble recoveries (one) and quarterback hits (21).
He missed 24 games in his first four seasons and has not had more than 7.5 sacks in a season since his rookie campaign. Despite that, Peter King of NBC Sports, citing a “well-plugged in GM,” reports Chubb has garnered enough interest to command a first-round price tag.
Moving Chubb would allow Denver to build out its team for the future through the NFL draft while freeing up cap space for interior lineman Dre’Mont Jones, who has been considerably more consistent rushing the passer as a third-round pick in the 2019 draft.
MORE: Tracking 2022 NFL trade deadline moves and rumors
Bradley Chubb trade rumors
King reports that two teams are the top contenders for Chubb: the Jets and Dolphins, albeit for different reasons.
Via ProFootballTalk:
GM George Paton, clearly, would move Chubb, due to be a free-agent in March, having missed 24 games due to injury in his first four years, for a first-round pick, and he may get one. A well-plugged-in GM told me over the weekend the Jets and Dolphins are interested, and interested enough to consider dealing a first-rounder for Chubb.
But to make that deal for a significant price, Miami or New York, or any team, would have to have a deal done with Chubb beyond this year.
— The Dolphins could make use of a potentially game-changing pass-rusher. Miami averages only 1.9 sacks per game through eight games this year, and has exhibited worrying inconsistency in the secondary, allowing 262.1 yards per game through the air, 26th-worst in the league.
Miami could conceivably address both issues with a player such as Chubb, though it’s worth noting the Dolphins would only have the 49ers’ pick to offer after the NFL forced the team to vacate its own pick amid tampering by Stephen Ross.
— The Jets are considerably better off in the pass-rushing front, thanks in large part to defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, who is playing like a All Pro-caliber player eight games into the season. New York’s offense struggled mightily in a Week 8 loss to the Patriots.
With Zach Wilson struggling at quarterback and Breece Hall out for the year, would Robert Saleh go all-in on defense to help preserve an encouraging 5-3 start?
Bradley Chubb contract details
As noted by King, any team that would trade for Chubb would need to work out a long-term extension for him. They could rent him at a prorated $7.1 million for the remainder of the season, but that almost certainly is not worth a first-round pick.
Chubb, 26, currently ranks 43rd among edge-rushers in total contract value at $27.3 million, per Spotrac. He likely will command a significant pay increase as a young player at an ever-more important position in the NFL.
All that to say: If the Dolphins, Jets or any team trade a first-rounder for Chubb, they will want to make sure he’s in for the long haul.
