Denver Broncos trade candidate: Bradley Chubb, EDGE
Many Denver Broncos fans are frustrated with Bradley Chubb these days, which I think is incredibly unfair.
After a historic rookie season in 2018, Chubb suffered an ACL tear early in the 2019 season. He bounced back by being selected to the Pro Bowl despite not playing a full season in 2020 and then missed significant time in the 2021 regular season due to an ankle procedure.
The frustration from Denver Broncos fans should be for Chubb, not necessarily directed at him.
Chubb has been labeled a “core” player by GM George Paton, and those words have meant something since Paton came aboard. The other players that he has given that label to were given long-term contract extensions. Namely, guys like Courtland Sutton, Justin Simmons, and Shelby Harris.
In order for Chubb to get an extension, he’s likely going to have to have a major bounce-back year in 2022. Still not even 26 years old, it’s reasonable to assume that better days are ahead for the former fifth-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Chubb has not been a game-wrecker for the Broncos and injuries have certainly stifled his development some.
If the Broncos make a trade in the 2022 offseason for a star QB, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a team ask for Chubb in return. Although he’s only got his fifth-year option left on his rookie contract, the franchise tag is in play for Chubb beyond this season, and pass rushers with his pedigree cost a lot more than he’s going to in 2022.