Bills Sign Chubb to Bolster Pass Rush, Drawing Criticism

ESPN analyst calls the move the "most head-scratching" of NFL free agency

Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:56pm

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The Buffalo Bills have signed former Miami Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb to a three-year, $29 million contract with $29 million guaranteed. While the Bills were in need of pass rushing help after losing Joey Bosa, ESPN's Field Yates believes the contract terms for the soon-to-be 30-year-old Chubb are surprisingly high.

Why it matters

The Bills were desperate to upgrade their pass rush after a disappointing 2025 season, but some analysts feel they overpaid for Chubb, who has an injury history. The move highlights the challenges teams face in free agency to find impact edge rushers at reasonable prices.

The details

Chubb is coming off an 8.5 sack season with the Dolphins in 2025. The Bills needed to add an edge rusher after letting Bosa walk in free agency last year. While Chubb is a solid player, the $29 million in guaranteed money over three years is seen as a steep price tag for a soon-to-be 30-year-old with an injury history.

  • The Bills signed Chubb to a three-year contract on March 15, 2026.

The players

Bradley Chubb

A 29-year-old edge rusher who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins.

Joey Bosa

A former Bills edge rusher who the team let walk in free agency after the 2025 season.

Greg Rousseau

A Bills edge rusher who will be paired with the newly signed Chubb.

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What they’re saying

“Buffalo had a significant need to upgrade at edge rusher, and Chubb helps that cause. But the amount was surprising; Chubb's deal includes $29 million guaranteed over three years. He is a solid player who piled up 8.5 sacks last season, but that's a steep figure for a soon-to-be 30-year-old rusher. I thought his market would be lighter than that, but Buffalo acted fast with many of the coveted pass rushers unavailable.”

— Field Yates, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Bills will hope that Chubb can stay healthy and provide a boost to their pass rush in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Bills' signing of Chubb highlights the challenges teams face in free agency to find impact edge rushers at reasonable prices. While the move addresses a need, some analysts believe the Bills may have overpaid for a player with an injury history.