Bills’ Blockbuster FA Steal Dominates: 2026 Breakout Confirmed
Can Bradley Chubb Finally Solve the Buffalo Bills’ Pass Rush Puzzle?
The Bills’ Long Search for a Game-Closing Pass Rusher
For a long time, the Buffalo Bills have had a quiet but nagging problem: they haven’t had a reliable pass rusher who can finish games strong.
Think of a pass rusher like a superhero whose job is to chase the quarterback (the guy throwing the ball) and tackle him or knock the ball loose before he can throw. The Bills have tried to find this superhero a few times recently, but it hasn’t quite worked out.
Important Point: A "pass rusher" is a defensive player whose main job is to get past the offensive line and pressure the quarterback. "Closing out games" means making big plays when the game is on the line in the 4th quarter.
The Von Miller Experiment (2022–2024)
The Big Splash
In 2022, the Bills made a massive move. They signed Von Miller to a six-year contract right after he won the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. Miller was one of the best in the game, and fans were thrilled.
The Injury That Changed Everything
On Thanksgiving 2022, Miller tore his ACL (a major knee ligament).
What’s an ACL? It’s a key ligament in your knee that helps keep it stable. Tearing it usually means surgery and 9–12 months of recovery.
The Aftermath
- Miller played only three seasons in Buffalo
- He was never the same player after the injury
- The Bills eventually released him
- Miller went on to play for the Washington Commanders and recently signed with the Dallas Cowboys (some fans hoped he might return to Buffalo)
The Joey Bosa One-Year Tryout (2025)
In the 2025 offseason, the Bills tried again. They signed Joey Bosa to a one-year deal.
The Good
- Bosa led the entire league with 5 forced fumbles (knocking the ball out of opponents’ hands)
The Not-So-Good
- His pass rush got worse near the end of the regular season and in the playoffs
- He struggled in run support (stopping running plays)
- His contract expired, and he hasn’t signed with a new team yet
Result: Another one-and-done situation.
Enter Bradley Chubb: A New Hope
Now, the Bills have brought in Bradley Chubb on a three-year deal. Here’s why this feels different:
Who Is Bradley Chubb?
- He’s been in the AFC East (the Bills’ division) since 2022 with the Miami Dolphins
- He’s a former top-5 draft pick (meaning teams thought he was elite coming out of college)
- He’s 30 years old and entering his prime years
- He’ll play under Jim Leonhard, the Bills’ defensive coordinator, in a system that fits his skills perfectly
The Big Concern: Injury History
Important Callout: The Elephant in the Room
Chubb’s biggest question mark isn’t talent—it’s health. He has torn his ACL twice:
- 2019 – Played only 4 games after tearing his ACL
- Late 2023 – Tore his ACL again, missed the rest of 2023 and all of 2024
That’s a lot of missed time. But here’s the encouraging part…
The Numbers That Should Excite Bills Fans
When Chubb is on the field, he produces at an elite level. Look at his last two healthy seasons combined (2023 and 2025):
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Sacks | 19.5 |
| Forced Fumbles | 8 |
What’s a sack? When a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw. It’s a huge win for the defense.
What’s a forced fumble? When a defender knocks the ball loose from an offensive player, creating a chance for the defense to recover it.
Translation: In roughly two full seasons of action, Chubb has been one of the most disruptive defenders in football.
Why the Contract Makes Sense
The three-year deal hits a sweet spot:
Creates stability – The Bills know they have their guy for multiple years
Not a long-term anchor – If it doesn’t work out, they’re not stuck for a decade
Low risk, high reward – Proven production when healthy, reasonable commitment
Expert Validation: Bleacher Report Gives It an A+
Brad Gagnon from Bleacher Report re-ranked all the major free agency signings after the preseason and gave the Chubb signing an "A+" grade.
Direct Quote from Gagnon:
"This one remains somewhat under the radar. Coming off a torn ACL that cost him all of 2024, Chubb had 8.5 sacks while getting reacclimated in 2025. The 30-year-old former top-five pick could easily return to a Pro Bowl level in a new, winning environment. He’s looked stellar thus far this offseason."
Key takeaways from the expert:
- The signing flew under the radar (other teams/fans slept on it)
- Chubb posted 8.5 sacks in 2025 while shaking off the rust
- He could return to Pro Bowl form (all-star level)
- He’s looked great in practice this summer
- He’s a leader in the locker room
The Recipe for Success: Health + Scheme Fit
Chubb has everything going for him in Buffalo:
- Winning environment – The Bills are Super Bowl contenders
- Perfect scheme fit – Jim Leonhard’s defense plays to Chubb’s strengths
- Familiar division – He knows AFC East offenses from his Dolphins days
- Strong summer – Impressive practices and leadership reports
- Motivation – Wants to prove the Bills right for investing in him
The Bottom Line: If Bradley Chubb stays healthy, he has a genuine chance to become the consistent, game-closing pass rusher the Bills have been searching for.
Summary
- The Bills have struggled for years to find a reliable pass rusher who can close games
- Von Miller (2022–2024) and Joey Bosa (2025) both fell short due to injury and performance drop-off
- Bradley Chubb signed a three-year deal in 2025 to join the Bills
- Concern: Two torn ACLs (2019, 2023) causing major missed time
- Encouragement: 19.5 sacks and 8 forced fumbles in his last two healthy seasons combined
- Expert opinion: Bleacher Report gave the signing an A+, calling it "under the radar" with Pro Bowl upside
- Outlook: If healthy, Chubb fits Jim Leonhard’s defense perfectly and could finally solve the pass rush problem
FAQ
Why did the Bills let Von Miller go after only three years of a six-year contract?
Miller tore his ACL on Thanksgiving 2022 and was never the same player afterward. The Bills decided to move on rather than keep paying a declining player on a long-term deal.
What’s the difference between a sack and a forced fumble?
A sack is tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before he throws. A forced fumble is knocking the ball loose from any offensive player. Both are huge defensive plays, but they measure different skills.
Is Bradley Chubb related to Nick Chubb (the running back)?
No relation! They just share a last name. Bradley Chubb is a defensive end/outside linebacker; Nick Chubb is a running back for the Cleveland Browns.
What does "AFC East" mean?
The NFL is divided into two conferences (AFC and NFC), each with four divisions. The AFC East includes the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New York Jets. Chubb played for the Dolphins (2022–2024) and now plays for the Bills—so he knows the division well.
What happens if Chubb gets hurt again?
The three-year contract provides some protection—it’s not a 6-year deal like Miller’s. The Bills also have other pass rushers on the roster and can address the position in future drafts or free agency if needed. But everyone is hoping the "third time’s the charm" for Chubb’s knees!