In a move that’s set to send shockwaves through the NFL, multiple league sources have confirmed that the San Francisco 49ers are on the verge of pulling off a seismic trade for Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl defensive end Bradley Chubb. With the trade deadline ticking down to its 4 p.m. ET expiration today, the 49ers are reportedly in the final stages of negotiations, poised to bolster their battered defensive front with one of the league’s most disruptive pass-rushers. This blockbuster acquisition—centered around Chubb’s lucrative $54,490,000 contract—could be the lifeline San Francisco needs to salvage a season derailed by injuries.
The 49ers, perennial contenders under head coach Kyle Shanahan, have been hammered by a brutal injury bug this year. Star edge rusher Nick Bosa’s absence has left gaping holes in their pass rush, while the ongoing sidelining of starting quarterback Brock Purdy has forced the team into a precarious balancing act on both sides of the ball. San Francisco’s defense, once a suffocating unit that propelled them to Super Bowl glory in recent memory, has struggled to generate pressure without its cornerstone players. Enter Bradley Chubb: a battle-tested veteran whose return from a torn ACL could ignite the 49ers’ front seven just in time for a playoff push.
Sources close to the negotiations, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the deal hinges on a package of mid-round draft picks and a young rotational player from the 49ers’ depth chart—details that Miami appears willing to accept as they pivot toward a youth movement in the trenches. Chubb, who inked his three-year, $54,490,000 extension with the Dolphins in 2022 (complete with a $7,445,000 signing bonus and $33,462,444 in guarantees), represents an average annual value of $18,163,333. For 2025, his base salary sits at $1,255,000, augmented by the prorated signing bonus and a $100,000 workout bonus, resulting in a cap hit of $12,327,739 and a hefty dead cap value of $36,186,978 if the trade goes through. It’s a financial commitment that underscores San Francisco’s all-in mentality, even as they navigate cap constraints in a salary-capped league.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/RickeyScoops/status/1985402222272827632
Chubb’s pedigree speaks for itself. Over 82 career games—split between his first four-plus seasons with the Denver Broncos and his subsequent stint in Miami—the 29-year-old has amassed an imposing 43.5 sacks, earning Pro Bowl nods and establishing himself as a perennial double-digit sack threat when healthy. His explosive first step, relentless motor, and ability to collapse pockets have terrorized quarterbacks league-wide. Last season, Chubb missed the entire 2024 campaign rehabbing a torn ACL suffered in Week 7 of 2023, but insiders report he’s fully recovered and showing vintage form in Dolphins practices. “He’s a game-changer,” one AFC scout told us. “Pair him with the 49ers’ scheme, and you’re looking at a nightmare for offensive lines from here to February.”
The rumor mill had been churning for days, with whispers of San Francisco’s interest in Chubb surfacing as early as Monday. A prominent 49ers insider account on X amplified the buzz, posting real-time updates that hinted at “big moves brewing on the edge.” While the Jets’ Jermaine Johnson II—a promising 11-sack talent in 38 games—emerged as a dark-horse candidate, sources now confirm Chubb as the unequivocal target. Johnson’s youth and familiarity with the Jets’ system made him an intriguing option, but Chubb’s proven track record and immediate impact tipped the scales.
For Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, this trade isn’t just about plugging holes—it’s about reloading for another deep playoff run. The 49ers’ current defensive woes are stark: without Bosa, their sack totals have plummeted, and opponents have exploited the edges with ease. Chubb’s arrival would inject veteran savvy and raw power, allowing San Francisco to rotate fresh legs and maintain pressure deep into games. Imagine him lining up opposite Leonard Floyd or alongside emerging talents like Yetur Gross-Matos—the possibilities are tantalizing. And with Purdy still nursing his injury, a fortified defense could buy the offense precious time, turning close contests into statement wins.
Dolphins brass, meanwhile, see this as a strategic pivot. Miami, mired in mediocrity this season, is prioritizing cap flexibility and draft capital to surround Tua Tagovailoa with more offensive firepower. Trading Chubb—whose injury history adds a layer of risk—frees up resources without gutting their core. “It’s the right time for both sides,” a Dolphins source noted. “Bradley gets a shot at another ring in a contender’s system, and we get picks to build around.”
As the deadline clock winds down, all eyes are on Levi’s Stadium. Will the ink dry in time? Early indications suggest yes, with final calls expected within the hour. If it materializes, this trade won’t just be a deadline splash—it’ll be a declaration: the 49ers aren’t rebuilding; they’re rearming. In a league where momentum can swing on a single acquisition, Chubb’s impending arrival could propel San Francisco back into NFC elite status. Stay tuned—the blockbuster is imminent.