Sayre Bedinger of NFL Spin Zone listed the New Orleans Saints as an obvious potential landing spot for free agent linebacker Bradley Chubb. A proven player at a position of need, his addition has the potential to take the Saints pass rush to another level.
While in Miami, where he's been since trade deadline day in 2022, Chubb gathered 133 tackles, 30 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, and three passes defensed, earning one pro-bowl nod. In his career, he's played in 90 games and gathered 303 tackles, 48 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, and one interception. Chubb's arrival in New Orleans could seriously elevate the Saints' defense, which has struggled over the past few seasons with their pass rush from off the edge.
His skill didn't decline in 2025, making his release from Miami a purely financial move. The Dolphins are also in the midst of a rebuild, so it makes sense that Chubb's release, which should save them $7.3 million in cap space, would happen. Furthermore, while it's still unclear what the market for him will be, he's not expected to earn the $19 million a year he was earning last year. His next contract could fit the Saints' budget very nicely.
Bradley Chubb could reunite with Brandon Staley in New Orleans
If Bradley Chubb does decide to sign with the Saints, it would provide him an opportunity to reunite with his old position coach, Brandon Staley. The two were both on the Denver Broncos back in 2019.
Bedinger even brings up his history with Staley as a reason for the move being palpable. "The Saints are another obvious potential landing spot for Chubb given the fact that their defensive coordinator is now Brandon Staley, who was Chubb's position coach in Denver early on in his career. They also have every reason to make shrewd moves like this because Chubb is not likely to break the bank.
Chubb tore his ACL four weeks into the season, which made their time together short, as Staley became the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers the following season. However, a smooth transition is still well within the realm of possibility. Vic Fangio, his head coach in Denver from 2018-2021 and his defensive coordinator in 2023, ran a 3-4 defense, the same as Staley.
Staley falls from that Fangio tree, so Chubb is familiar with this system from his time in Denver. That should definitely take some of the load off his shoulders, and a reunion with an old coach could certainly sweeten the deal for him as well.