The Dolphins’ Pass Rush has a Chance to Be Special
I know, I know, it sounds like a broken record, but if the Miami Dolphins edge rushers can stay healthy, they have a chance to be a special unit.
Chop Robinson is an emerging 2nd-year player who is coming off a very good rookie season.
Jaelan Phillips, who was turning into one of the league’s elite pass rushers before he ruptured his Achilles in 2023 and then tore his ACL in 2024.
Bradley Chubb has a resume that would take too long to list all of his accomplishments.
Matt Judon may be 33 years old, but as a 4th edge rusher on limited snaps, Miami will probably maximize him and get the best out of him.
When all four of those guys are healthy, that will be a special group.
Factor in defensive linemen Zach Sieler, who is coming off back-to-back 10-sack seasons, and look out.
The key, though, is whether this group can stay healthy.
You can’t just assume they will.
Bradley Chubb is coming off his 3rd ACL injury. Three is a lot, will he be the same guy?
Phillips, coming off an Achilles and an ACL, has a lot to come back from. Will he be the same guy?
Matthew Judon is 33; his best days are clearly behind him, but can he give ya another five sacks this year and be a situational player? We hope, we don’t know.
So, there is a risk here with this group.
But… if Chubb and Phillips do stay healthy, and if Judon gives you just enough, and if Chop has a second-year leap into a borderline superstar, that unit will carry this defense.
Even with a subpar secondary (and it is subpar), I think Anthony Weaver will get creative with this pass rush and confuse many opposing defenses.
Yes, a great pass rush will help out the secondary, and that secondary needs all the help it can get.
The cornerbacks are past their prime or totally unproven.
At safety, they have a ton of question marks with everyone not named Minkah Fitzpatrick.
For the Dolphins in 2025 to make a playoff run, they need the pass rush to be special, because if it underperforms, then this defense may struggle.
But, gun to my head, I think this pass rush will live up to the hype.
Phillips is in a contract year, and I think he will bounce back.
Chubb’s contract takes a significant leap in 2026, essentially putting him in a contract year, and he will look to have a strong season to secure one last lucrative contract after this season. Either a re-worked deal with the Fins or after Miami cuts him to latch on with another team.
And Chop Robinson has too much talent not to be good.
I don’t know if the Dolphins will win a lot of games in 2025, but the pass rush should be enjoyable to watch!
