Wednesday poured more fuel on the fire of each one of the Dolphins’ AFC East rivalries

Some familiar faces in familiar places this upcoming season.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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Nov 9, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) runs on the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium.
Jeff Romance-Imagn Images

Wednesday marked the start of the league year for the Miami Dolphins and the rest of the NFL. We are officially open for business.

It’s not unusual for movement across the league to kick off in a frenzy. That’s status quo. But for several (former) Dolphins players, it was hard to miss the mass migration to other teams across the AFC East. These divisional rivalries run deep — and seeing some old friends on the opposing sidelines in 2026 will make these divisional games mean even MORE this season. Each one of Miami’s AFC East rivals pulled a meaningful player from Miami’s roster today.

AFC East rivalries get more fuel as former Dolphins players migrate across the division

Nov 9, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) runs on the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium.
Nov 9, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) runs on the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Jeff Romance-Imagn Images

We knew all about Minkah Fitzpatrick‘s migration north to join the Jets — that trade was announced on Monday morning. It was formally announced by the team shortly after the 4PM opening bell of the league year, too. But it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Fellow defensive standout Bradley Chubb? He was released with a Post-June 1st designation on Wednesday and five minutes later it was announced that he would be joining the Buffalo Bills on a three-year deal worth somewhere around $15 million per season.

The Patriots got in on the fun too, as they added fourth-year tight end Julian Hill in free agency after the Dolphins elected not to offer him a restricted free agent tender. The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported that the Dolphins offered him a lower value contract than the $3.5 million RFA figure and Hill & his camp declined.

Now, Miami is in line to see all three players twice in 2026 thanks to new landing spots in New York, Buffalo, and New England. And, to be fair, Miami has gotten their own punch back with the newly reported addition of special teams standout Alex Austin, who has spent the last three seasons in New England. These AFC East roots run deep. And after today, they’re running deeper.

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