Dolphins GM explains decision to release two Pro Bowlers

While the league year is still weeks away from starting, the Miami Dolphins have had a very active offseason to this point, as they've replaced their coaching staff and front office.

On top of those changes, the Dolphins are moving on from wide receiver Tyreek Hill and linebacker Bradley Chubb this offseason with their new regime in charge.

Speaking for the first time since those moves, Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan explained the decision to move on from Hill and Chubb before the 2026 season.

"I think the first thing I would say when it comes to Tyreek Hill in particular, marvelous player. One of one, Hall of Fame caliber. Very, very appreciative of what he accomplished here in Miami," Sullivan said. "I think when you look at just where we were as a salary cap, obviously he's dealing with an injury right now, his age, it just made sense for us to move on down the road. He was very understanding. He could not have been more professional in our phone call.

"And then with (Bradley) Chubb, kind of along the same lines, very good player, accomplished a lot of really good things. There's just salary cap implications where we need to get younger and cheaper, and those were some avenues for us to do that. But very good players here, very appreciative of what they did while they were with the Dolphins."

Miami traded for Hill in 2022 and gave him a massive four-year, $120 million extension. In his four years with the Dolphins, he appeared in 54 games and caught 340 passes for 4,733 yards and 27 touchdowns on his way to two Pro Bowls and two All-Pros. His 2025 season ended prematurely, as the wideout tore his ACL in Week 4.

The Dolphins acquired Chubb at the 2022 trade deadline and gave him a five-year, $110 million extension immediately. In his four seasons with Miami, he appeared in 41 games (missing the entire 2024 season due to a torn ACL) and recorded 133 tackles, 54 quarterback hits, 22 sacks, nine forced fumbles, three fumbles recovered and two passes defensed.

Miami doesn't appear to be team that's ready to compete, so it's smart for them to take those salary cap hits now and get younger. It should make it easier to turn things around in the coming years.

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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Jon-Eric Sullivan explains why Dolphins cut Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb