The Miami Dolphins face a pivotal period as they potentially replace more than half of their defensive starters from the previous season, largely influenced by the dynamics of free agency. The team's defensive strategy hinges on the performances and health of key players like Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, and the emerging talent of their first-round pick, Robinson. With substantial changes looming, the Dolphins' defense is poised for a transformative season in 2025.
Jaelan Phillips, once sidelined by a torn Achilles tendon in 2023, made a remarkable return for the 2024 season opener. His performance in the first three weeks showcased his prowess, creating pressures on 15.7% of his pass rushes, ranking him seventh among NFL linebackers. Unfortunately, his promising comeback was short-lived as he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 4. Despite this setback, the Dolphins demonstrated their faith in Phillips by picking up his fifth-year option for the 2025 season. However, an extension remains uncertain until he proves his return to form and sustains his health.
Bradley Chubb, another crucial component of the Dolphins' defense, faced his own challenges. After tearing his ACL, meniscus, and patellar tendon at the end of the 2023 season, Chubb missed the entire 2024 season. Now playing under a five-year, $110 million extension he signed in 2022, Chubb agreed to restructure his contract to lower his $28.6 million cap hit for 2025. This move reflects both his commitment to the team and the team's trust in his capabilities. Chubb is expected to be ready for the offseason program, aiming to regain the form that ranked him ninth in pass rush win rate and fifth in pressure rate before his injury.
Since 2022, Chubb, Phillips, and Robinson have consistently ranked among the top 25 pass rushers in the league for pressure rate. Notably, no other team boasts three such players in this category. Robinson, stepping into a starting role as a rookie in 2024, delivered an impressive performance with six sacks and 38 pressures. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel expressed confidence in Robinson's potential impact on the team:
"You don't know what the first year is going to look like. We just felt very confident that he was going to be the type of player that could be an impact player."
The upcoming free agency period will significantly affect the Dolphins' defensive continuity. The team may need to adapt if key pieces depart, but their foundation of talented pass rushers offers a strong starting point. The recovery timelines for Phillips and Chubb remain critical to Miami's defensive aspirations.
As these players work back to full strength, an unnamed team official hinted at Phillips’ mindset during recovery:
"or 'do I still?' — he knows where he's at right now and knows that he just has a little longer to build to get to his standard of play and standard of execution."
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