With a wild legal tampering period behind us, many Buffalo Bills fans were disappointed they missed out on Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson. Free agency is here, and nothing was done.
But general manager Brandon Beane didn't wait long to get started, signing former Miami Dolphins OLB Bradley Chubb just 30 minutes into the new NFL season. The Bills had been in on every prolific edge rusher of the 2026 market, so it's no surprise they landed one.
Bills land their pass rush answer with Dolphins EDGE Bradley Chubb in free agency
The money isn't bad, as Bradley Chubb signed a 3-season contract totaling $43.5m. That AAV is only $14.5m per season- A perfectly acceptable figure considering the prices of top edge rushers this offseason. The Free Agency market has been nothing short of electric on defense, and the Bills didn't miss out on the action.
With an expected minimal cap hit this season, Chubb's signing won't dwarf the 2026 salary cap. The Buffalo Bills will still have money to work with after Josh Allen's latest contract restructure. With more holes on the roster to be filled, like with the D.J. Moore trade, expect more signings soon.
Chubb's impact for the Buffalo Bills' new defense
If Bradley Chubb had been on the 2025 Buffalo Bills, he would have led the team in sacks. His 8.5 sacks last season would be more than any Bills defender since Leonard Floyd and Ed Oliver in 2023. That production occurred despite coming off a torn ACL, which caused him to miss the 2024 season. In 2023, Chubb had another 11 sacks- Proven production and consistency before and after his injury.
In Jim Leonhard's new defense, Chubb's outside linebacker/edge rusher role is a natural fit. The Bills needed to make roster changes to fit a more fluid and versatile front-7; Bradley Chubb makes that work instantly. Though Chubb didn't overlap with Leonhard in Denver, he is a proven fit for the scheme expected to be in place this season.
He joins the likes of Gregory Rousseau and Michael Hoecht, making for a dramatic and rangy trio of edge rushers suited for a wide variety of roles. With DTs Deone Walker and Ed Oliver in the middle, the Buffalo Bills have a fearsome group of defensive players forming. Free Agency has only just begun, and the draft holds plenty more contributors for Jim Leonhard and company. It's shaping up to be an exciting offseason for Brandon Beane.