Dolphins Defense Has Unique Incentive
December 27th, 2025
Effort!
It’s often what separates the hungry teams from the pack.
Do the Bucs walk off the field each week looking like the hungriest team ever to put on a Tampa Bay uniform? Not even close.
It’s sad. Effort and fire do not require talent. The Bucs don’t look like an every-blade-of-grass, swarm-the-ball, play-through-the-whistle, hair-on-fire ballclub.
This is the time of year when players around the league on bad teams deliver questionable effort, so fans are often trying to figure out what teams are really trying.
The Dolphins benched their top quarterback with two home games remaining — a guy with a career 75 percent winning percentage at home. They definitely are tanking to a degree.
However, Dolphins captain, stud edge rusher and Walter Payton man of the year honoree Bradley Chubb has a lot to play for. The former Pro Bowler has more than $5 million the line as the season comes to a close.
Per the Miami Herald,
“… how the Dolphins’ defense performs in these final two games will decide whether Chubb makes an extra $4.8 million this season. If the Dolphins’ defense finishes this season ranked among the NFL’s top 20 defense in points allowed, with Chubb’s existing playing time percentage, and his sack production, he’d earn an extra $4.8 million because he’s played 78 percent of Miami’s defensive snaps, and already has six sacks on the season.
“Another two sacks would allow Chubb to make an additional $900,000, but that is all contingent on how the Dolphins, which are presently ranked 22nd in scoring defense, perform.”
Considering Baker Mayfield himself referenced Chubb having a lot of cash on the line during his Tuesday news conference, Joe suspects Chubb has advised his teammates what their captain’s bank account can achieve.
The Dolphins host the Bucs tomorrow and it’s a decent bet that Chubb has identified his own incentives to deliver teammates for helping him hit that extra $5.7 million.
Joe hopes the Bucs’ offense is locked in.
December 27th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Uh oh…
December 27th, 2025 at 5:09 pm
The Fish Tank
December 27th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
ElioT Says:
December 27th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Uh oh…
^^^^
Ditto
December 27th, 2025 at 5:26 pm
Yeah. I don’t think that Chubb’s money is on every players’ mind.
Now that they’ve been knocked out it’s more like: No ACL. No torn Achilles. Let me get out of here in one piece so I can get a good deal next year.
Not let me risk my neck to make Brad $4.8m.
December 27th, 2025 at 5:43 pm
A wink and a nod…baker gifts Chubb a sack, once the game is in hand.
December 27th, 2025 at 6:07 pm
The way we’ve been playing, Chubb may cash in.
December 27th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
At this point who knows? I know this, I believe our Buccaneers can win this game!! I believe Baker Mayfield is a fighter and will do everything he can to win this game, in spite of all the equipment he’s wearing on his left side !!
Go Bucs !!
December 27th, 2025 at 6:19 pm
The Bucs win this game going away
December 27th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
I’m sure our two remaining starting offensive linemen will do all they can.
December 27th, 2025 at 7:27 pm
test
December 27th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
Definitely scary. I wonder if any Bucs offensive players have any incentives to play for.. I think if Baker and the Bucs can work those interior guards to really play, or not let Baker get sacked, heck maybe the fans would give some cash. Why not.
Anyway you really have to wonder about that game tomorrow?. Maybe the offense actually scores a ton of points ,Flip a coin. Does the defense make another rookie QB look a the new franchise player or not?. Will the Bucs allow Miami to score on the opening drive. Does the defense actually make Miami go 3 and out.
I mean can the Bucs actually win this game hands down or find a way to shoot themselves in the foot, who knows. I still can’t get over 3rd and 28, so I have little faith. Right now
December 27th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
Football 1, the Bucs could have won the last 3 games easily but as you said, they shot themselves in the foot and Bowles does not hold anyone accountable except when his playcalling is questioned and then he throws his players under the bus. I think the Bucs should win but they probably will not as players continue to make mistakes and the coaches stubbornly continue to refuse to adjust and adapt. I blame Bowles, this team has taken on his play not to lose mentality. It has cost Tampa 3 games in a row as well as the Pats game IMHO.
December 27th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
Im happy if Goedeke plays like a professional/vet and gets his mushy concussion prone head out of his @$$ and doesn’t get flagged