# Bradley Chubb
**Bradley Chubb** (born 1996 in [Marietta, Georgia](https://www.edgepedia.org/marietta-georgia)) is an American professional football outside linebacker for the [Buffalo Bills](https://www.edgepedia.org/buffalo-bills) of the [National Football League](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-football-league). He entered the NFL as the fifth-overall pick of the Denver Broncos in the 2018 NFL Draft after a standout career at North Carolina State, made a Pro Bowl with the Miami Dolphins in 2022, and signed with Buffalo in 2026 after Miami released him.[1](https://media.denverbroncos.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018_Denver_Broncos_Media_Guide.pdf) • [2](https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/nfl-draft-history/1980/2018) • [3](https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-release-chubb) • [4](https://apnews.com/article/e4e98cb87284c4bd2676d6d201259ce6)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1996, Marietta, Georgia[1](https://media.denverbroncos.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018_Denver_Broncos_Media_Guide.pdf) |
| Draft | First round, fifth overall, Denver Broncos, 2018 NFL Draft, from North Carolina State[2](https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/nfl-draft-history/1980/2018) |
| Rookie season | 12 sacks in 2018, the most by a rookie since Aldon Smith's 14 in 2011[5](https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-bradley-chubb-on-brink-of-stardom-not-that-he-cares-0ap3000001041458) |
| Best statistical season | 11 sacks and a league-leading 6 forced fumbles in 2023[6](https://www.nfl.com/news/dolphins-releasing-two-time-pro-bowler-bradley-chubb) |
| Injury | Missed the entire 2024 season with a torn ACL[6](https://www.nfl.com/news/dolphins-releasing-two-time-pro-bowler-bradley-chubb) |
| Career totals | 95 games, 49.5 sacks, 15 forced fumbles through the 2026 season[7](https://www.nfl.com/players/bradley-chubb/stats/career) |
## College career at NC State
Chubb was a three-year starter at [North Carolina State University](https://www.edgepedia.org/north-carolina-state-university), opening 38 of 49 games played and totaling 203 tackles (103 solo), 26 sacks, three passes defensed, one interception, eight forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.[1](https://media.denverbroncos.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018_Denver_Broncos_Media_Guide.pdf) In his final college season he recorded 10 sacks in 12 games.[8](https://as.com/us/us/2018/02/26/nfl/1519683051_544317.html) Scouting reports entering the draft described a balanced defender who was as solid defending the run as rushing the passer, with active hands and multiple pass-rush moves.[9](https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2018bchubb.php)
## 2018 NFL Draft
Chubb was widely regarded as the best pass-rushing prospect in the 2018 class, a distinction that projected him as a top-10 selection.[10](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/road-to-the-draft-making-the-case-for-against-nc-state-de-bradley-chubb-20555058) He slipped past the [Cleveland Browns](https://www.edgepedia.org/cleveland-browns) at fourth overall, and Denver selected him fifth.[11](https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/after-unexpected-call-from-denver-bradley-chubb-ready-to-contribute-rig-20588118) Broncos general manager [John Elway](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-elway) and head coach [Vance Joseph](https://www.edgepedia.org/vance-joseph) considered him the best defensive prospect in the draft.[11](https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/after-unexpected-call-from-denver-bradley-chubb-ready-to-contribute-rig-20588118) Von Miller, Denver's franchise pass rusher, described Chubb as "me plus Khalil Mack."
## Denver Broncos (2018–2022)
Chubb's rookie season was productive: 12 sacks, 2.5 short of the rookie record set by [Jevon Kearse](https://www.edgepedia.org/jevon-kearse) in 1999, and the most by a rookie since [Aldon Smith](https://www.edgepedia.org/aldon-smith) had 14 in 2011.[5](https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-bradley-chubb-on-brink-of-stardom-not-that-he-cares-0ap3000001041458) His subsequent Denver seasons were interrupted by injury; he played 4 games in 2019, 14 in 2020, and 7 in 2021, recording 7.5 sacks in 2020 and none in 2021.[7](https://www.nfl.com/players/bradley-chubb/stats/career)
## Trade to Miami and the 2022 extension
In eight games for Miami in 2022 he recorded 2.5 sacks and earned a [Pro Bowl](https://www.edgepedia.org/pro-bowl) selection.[7](https://www.nfl.com/players/bradley-chubb/stats/career) • [3](https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-release-chubb)
## 2023 peak, injury, and 2025 return
Chubb's 2023 season was his most disruptive: 11 sacks, two passes defensed, and six forced fumbles, which led the league.[6](https://www.nfl.com/news/dolphins-releasing-two-time-pro-bowler-bradley-chubb) A torn ACL ended that season and he sat out the entirety of 2024.[6](https://www.nfl.com/news/dolphins-releasing-two-time-pro-bowler-bradley-chubb)
He returned to play all 17 games in 2025, leading Miami with 8.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits on a defense that ranked 24th in points allowed per game.[12](https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-analysis/138327/buffalo-bills-2026-scouting-report-outside-linebacker-bradley-chubb) He was voted a team captain and selected as the club's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee, and he had earlier won the team's 2023 Nat Moore Community Service Award.[3](https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-release-chubb)
## Release and Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins released Chubb on March 11, 2026, with a post-June 1 designation, part of an offseason in which Miami cut or traded many of its star players under a new general manager and head coach.[3](https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-release-chubb) • [13](https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-miami-4060c23e-0662-47a0-aa55-ff07f11c9e4b) He finished his Miami tenure with 41 games, 40 starts, 133 tackles, 22.0 sacks, nine forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, and appeared in one postseason game with the club.[3](https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-release-chubb)
Shortly after the release, the 29-year-old Chubb agreed to a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, with the chance to earn an additional $12 million through incentives.[4](https://apnews.com/article/e4e98cb87284c4bd2676d6d201259ce6) Through five games with Buffalo in 2026 he has recorded 1.5 sacks.[7](https://www.nfl.com/players/bradley-chubb/stats/career)
## References
1. [2018 Denver Broncos Media Guide](https://media.denverbroncos.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018_Denver_Broncos_Media_Guide.pdf)
2. [2018 NFL Draft History, Pro Football Hall of Fame](https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/nfl-draft-history/1980/2018)
3. [Dolphins release Chubb, Miami Dolphins](https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/dolphins-release-chubb)
4. [Trey Hendrickson joins Ravens, Maxx Crosby still on Raiders and Daniel Jones re-signs with Colts, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/e4e98cb87284c4bd2676d6d201259ce6)
5. [Broncos' Bradley Chubb on brink of stardom, NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-bradley-chubb-on-brink-of-stardom-not-that-he-cares-0ap3000001041458)
6. [Dolphins releasing two-time Pro Bowler Bradley Chubb, NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/news/dolphins-releasing-two-time-pro-bowler-bradley-chubb)
7. [Bradley Chubb Career Stats, NFL.com](https://www.nfl.com/players/bradley-chubb/stats/career)
8. [Cinco prospectos a seguir en el Scouting Combine, AS.com](https://as.com/us/us/2018/02/26/nfl/1519683051_544317.html)
9. [2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Bradley Chubb, WalterFootball](https://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2018bchubb.php)
10. [Road to the Draft: Making the case for, against NC State DE Bradley Chubb, ClevelandBrowns.com](https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/road-to-the-draft-making-the-case-for-against-nc-state-de-bradley-chubb-20555058)
11. [After unexpected call from Denver, Bradley Chubb ready to 'contribute right away', DenverBroncos.com](https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/after-unexpected-call-from-denver-bradley-chubb-ready-to-contribute-rig-20588118)
12. [Buffalo Bills 2026 scouting report: outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, Buffalo Rumblings](https://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-analysis/138327/buffalo-bills-2026-scouting-report-outside-linebacker-bradley-chubb)
13. [Dolphins might struggle, Axios Miami](https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-miami-4060c23e-0662-47a0-aa55-ff07f11c9e4b)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Rugby and other football codes › American football players, coaches, and executives › Linebackers › Active professional linebackers › AFC linebackers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license