Bradley Chubb

Bradley Austin Chubb Bio

Bradley Austin Chubb is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays in the National Football League. He was selected by the Denver Broncos with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft after a standout college career at North Carolina State University. Chubb has established himself as a dynamic pass rusher, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and leading the league in forced fumbles during the 2023 season. His career has spanned three NFL franchises, including his current tenure with the Buffalo Bills following time with the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos.

Early Life and Background

Bradley Austin Chubb was born on June 24, 1996, in Austell, Georgia. He attended Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he played as a hybrid linebacker-defensive end. During his senior season at Hillgrove, Chubb helped lead the Hawks to the Georgia 6A quarterfinals, showcasing the versatility and defensive instincts that would define his collegiate and professional career.

Chubb received multiple college offers before ultimately deciding to continue his football career closer to home. He officially committed to North Carolina State University on June 24, 2013, his 17th birthday. In addition to NC State, Chubb received scholarship offers from Duke, West Virginia, Wake Forest, East Carolina, and other programs, highlighting his status as a highly sought-after defensive prospect coming out of high school.

Path to the NFL

Chubb arrived at NC State University in 2014 and joined the Wolfpack football program. As a freshman, he received limited playing time, primarily contributing on special teams. Before his sophomore season, Chubb made a position switch from outside linebacker to defensive end, a move that would prove pivotal to his development. He broke into the starting lineup by the beginning of his sophomore year and began establishing himself as a disruptive force along the defensive line.

During his junior season, Chubb continued to develop as both a player and team leader. He finished third in the Atlantic Coast Conference in tackles for loss, demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. A memorable moment came during the 2016 Independence Bowl when Chubb sacked Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur. The performance caught the attention of Kyle’s father, Pat Shurmur, who scouted Chubb extensively leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft.

Bradley Austin Chubb Career

College Career (2014–2017)

Chubb’s senior season in 2017 proved to be his most dominant campaign as a Wolfpack player. He recorded ten sacks and had nearly one-third of his 72 total tackles result in losses for the opposing team. His 23 tackles for loss ranked him second among all NCAA Division I players that season. A standout performance came against Boston College, where Chubb recorded two and a half sacks to surpass Mario Williams as NC State’s all-time sack leader. He also became the Wolfpack’s career leader in tackles for loss during that game.

The accolades for Chubb’s senior season were extensive. He was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, earned first-team All-ACC honors, and became a unanimous All-American. He won both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top college defensive player, and the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the top defensive end in college football. NC State eventually honored Chubb by retiring his number 9 jersey, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in program history.

Denver Broncos Era (2018–2022)

The Denver Broncos selected Bradley Chubb with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the first defensive end drafted that year. On June 21, 2018, Chubb signed a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $27.27 million with a $17.91 million signing bonus. He entered training camp slated as a starting outside linebacker and was paired alongside future Hall of Famer Von Miller to form a formidable pass-rushing duo.

Chubb made his professional debut and first career start in the Broncos’ season-opener against the Seattle Seahawks, recording three combined tackles and half a sack during a 27-24 victory. He recorded his first career solo sack in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. A standout performance came in Week 6 when Chubb recorded a season-high three sacks against quarterback Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams. For his efforts in October, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month. Chubb started all 16 games in his rookie season, recording 60 combined tackles, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass deflection, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors.

The 2019 season saw Chubb continue his development before it was cut short by injury. He suffered a partial tear of the ACL in his left knee during Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, prematurely ending his campaign. Chubb bounced back in 2020, earning his first Pro Bowl selection after recording 7.5 sacks, 42 total tackles, and one forced fumble across 14 starts. He was placed on injured reserve in September 2021 following ankle surgery but returned later that season to appear in seven games with 21 tackles, one interception, and two passes defended. The Broncos exercised the fifth-year option on his contract in April 2021.

Miami Dolphins Era (2022–2025)

On November 1, 2022, the Broncos traded Chubb to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for running back Chase Edmonds, draft picks, and a first-round selection. Following the trade, Chubb signed a five-year, $110 million extension with $63.2 million guaranteed. He made an immediate impact in Miami, finishing the 2022 season with eight sacks, 39 total tackles, three fumble recoveries, and one pass defended. His strong play earned him a selection to his second Pro Bowl as a replacement for Khalil Mack.

The 2023 season saw Chubb emerge as one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers before a season-ending injury. In Week 15, he recorded seven tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one recovery in a shutout victory over the New York Jets, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He was also named the NFL’s co-leader in forced fumbles for the season. However, Chubb suffered a torn ACL in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. In 2024, he began the season on the physically unable to perform list before being activated to the roster.

During the 2025 season, Chubb returned to full health and demonstrated his continued dominance. In Week 17, he recorded two sacks including a fourth-quarter strip sack of Baker Mayfield in a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time in three seasons. He started all 17 games for Miami, recording 8.5 sacks, 47 total tackles, and two forced fumbles. On March 11, 2026, the Dolphins released Chubb to create salary cap space.

Buffalo Bills (2026–Present)

One day after being released by Miami, Chubb signed a three-year contract worth up to $52 million with the Buffalo Bills, with $29 million guaranteed. The move reunited him with a franchise known for its strong defensive identity and playoff aspirations. Chubb brings his veteran experience, pass-rushing prowess, and leadership to a Bills defense looking to complement its high-powered offense.

Playing Style and Strengths

Chubb is known for his explosive first step, violent hands, and ability to convert speed to power as a pass rusher. His background playing both linebacker and defensive end gives him versatility to line up in multiple positions along the defensive front. He excels at setting the edge against the run while also possessing the bend and athleticism to turn the corner against offensive tackles. Chubb’s football intelligence, developed through his collegiate career and time facing top competition, allows him to read plays quickly and make impactful contributions both against the run and the pass.

Bradley Austin Chubb Career Wins

Across his NFL career through the 2025 season, Chubb has accumulated impressive statistics that highlight his consistency and impact. He has recorded 303 total tackles, 48 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, seven pass deflections, and one interception in regular season play.

Major Achievements

Chubb’s most productive statistical season came during his rookie year with Denver in 2018 when he recorded 12 sacks, earning him Defensive Rookie of the Month honors and a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. His 2020 and 2022 Pro Bowl selections validated his status among the league’s top linebackers. The 2023 season saw him lead the NFL in forced fumbles while earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice during that campaign. His consistent ability to pressure the quarterback has resulted in multiple game-changing plays throughout his career, including strip sacks and critical fourth-quarter stops.

College and Pre-NFL Honors

Prior to his professional career, Chubb established himself as one of college football’s premier defensive players during his senior season at NC State. He became the Wolfpack’s all-time leader in sacks and tackles for loss while earning consensus All-American honors. His collection of awards that year included the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Ted Hendricks Award, and ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors, establishing him as a top-five NFL Draft prospect.

Family

Family Background and Football Lineage

Bradley Chubb comes from a football family with deep roots in the sport. His father, Aaron Chubb, was selected by the New England Patriots in the late rounds of the 1989 NFL Draft, providing Bradley with a foundation of football knowledge and experience from an early age. His younger brother, Brandon Chubb, also pursued football at the collegiate level, playing at Wake Forest before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Rams in 2016.

Perhaps most notably, Bradley Chubb is the cousin of Nick Chubb, who became a standout running back at the University of Georgia and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The two cousins were drafted just weeks apart in 2018, with Bradley selected 30 picks before Nick. Both have enjoyed successful NFL careers, with Nick establishing himself as one of the league’s premier running backs despite suffering a major knee injury in college.

Personal Life

Chubb maintains a presence on social media, where he connects with fans under the handle astronaut on Instagram. He has been open about his faith and family as important pillars in his life throughout his football journey. The Chubb family’s football legacy continues to inspire young athletes in Georgia and across the country.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 NFL season represented a bounce-back year for Chubb after battling injuries in previous seasons. He entered the year fully healthy following his 2024 stint on the physically unable to perform list and responded with one of his most consistent seasons. The Miami Dolphins defense relied heavily on Chubb to anchor their pass rush, and he delivered with consistent pressure throughout the season.

His standout performance in Week 17 against Tampa Bay exemplified his value to the Dolphins. The strip sack of Baker Mayfield in the fourth quarter proved to be a game-changing play that helped Miami secure a crucial victory. Chubb’s ability to stay healthy for all 17 games allowed him to build chemistry with his defensive teammates and coaching staff throughout the season.

The season ended with Chubb earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time in three years, underscoring his continued elite-level play. His 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles demonstrated his disruptive presence despite facing constant double teams. The Dolphins ultimately decided to move in a different direction in 2026, releasing Chubb to create salary cap flexibility, but his 2025 campaign solidified his reputation as a durable and productive pass rusher who can contribute at a high level when healthy.