Injuries kept the Miami Dolphins' edge rush crew from ever being together in 2024.
Bradley Chubb missed the entire season due to a 2023 ACL tear. Jaelan Phillips played in just four games before a second consecutive torn ACL. Rookie Chop Robinson started just one game but came on strong down the stretch.
With all three on pace to be healthy heading toward the 2025 season, Miami could boast one of the best pass rush trios in the NFL.
"It's a race to the quarterback," Chubb said on Tuesday, via the Palm Beach Post. "Nobody wants to be the last one there."
Chubb's career has been defined by injury, but when he's healthy, the pass rusher has been productive. In 2023, he generated 11 sacks and six forced fumbles in 16 games. Similarly, Phillips boasts talent to disrupt offenses but has played just 12 games in two years due to back-to-back knee injuries. Robinson got off to a slow start but pushed his way into the Defensive Rookie of the Year discussion by the end.
"We're kind of just all learning each other's rush styles and how to work together," Chubb said, "and when it's a full, polished thing, man, the sky's the limit."
If the trio is able to stay healthy, combined with defensive tackle Zach Sieler, the Dolphins' front should be disruptive -- which is good because the secondary is littered with questions and injuries.
"Playing with Bradley is some of the most fun times of our careers," Phillips said. "I feel like when we were on the field, if it's not me, it's him, or both of us. So being on the field with him is great, but then adding Chop to that equation -- I truly feel like Chop is going to be one of the best players in the league very soon."
Robinson's end-of-season stretch portends big things for the youngster in 2025. Of his 56 QB pressures in 2024, 30 came in the final seven weeks. Last week, Phillips suggested Robinson has the talent to be among the best pass rushers in the NFL in time. Chubb concurred with that sentiment.
"One hundred percent," Chubb said. "He's lights-out, man. His motor, the way he bends the edge, the way he could play the run -- I know a lot of people in here say he couldn't play the run, (but he's) nothing short of phenomenal, man, and I'm excited to see him keep growing."
If Robinson grows and Chubb and Phillips stay healthy, the Dolphins defense will be able to hang its hat on the pass rush while it figures out the secondary situation.
