Broncos Must Consider Bradley Chubb Trade at Deadline amid Latest NFL Rumors

Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline may come and go without the 3-5 Denver Broncos making a move, but teams have been asking if they are willing to sell. Specifically, teams have inquired about standout pass-rusher Bradley Chubb.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Denver even has a first-round offer on the table.

"The Broncos have heard from multiple teams interested in trading for star outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, sources told ESPN," he wrote. "One team even has been willing to trade its first-round draft pick, along with other compensation, in exchange for Chubb, according to sources."

This season, Chubb has logged 26 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 16 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Reference. He's a valuable member of the defense when healthy and only 26 years old. A large contingent of the Broncos fanbase would probably prefer to keep the NC State product in the fold.

Certain members of the Broncos organization may prefer to keep Chubb as well, particularly rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett.

Denver expected to be a contender this season after trading for quarterback Russell Wilson in the offseason. It has stumbled to a losing record, however, and Hackett may be on the hot seat.

"We're not where we need to be," new Broncos CEO Greg Penner said, per Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post.

Both Denver and Hackett may approach the deadline with a win-now mentality.

Then, as Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk pointed out, the Broncos must also weigh the prospect of trading Chubb now versus tagging and trading him in the offseason:

"Another source shed some light on the manner in which the Broncos are assessing the situation. With Chubb in the option year of his rookie deal, the Broncos could always tag and trade Chubb in the offseason. Thus, to trade him now, they'd need to believe they're getting more on November 1 than they’d get early next year."

Under no circumstances, though, should Chubb be off-limits ahead of the deadline and for multiple reasons. Firstly, he will be a free agent in the spring, and there's no guarantee Denver can keep him without using the franchise tag.

According to Spotrac, Denver is projected to have $23 million in cap space next year. Based on this year's franchise-tag numbers, tagging Chubb would chew up $18.7 million of that. The Broncos would be instantly limited in free agency and perhaps in a position where they have to trade their star man to address other needs.

That scenario would not raise Chubb's trade value because teams may view the Broncos as desperate to make a deal.

Another factor to consider is Chubb's injury history. He landed on injured reserve in 2019 with a torn ACL and then again last year following ankle surgery. He missed a total of 23 games over his first four seasons in the NFL.

There's no guarantee that the 2020 Pro Bowler will stay healthy for the rest of the season, and if he does suffer another significant injury, his trade value will tank.

And maximizing Chubb's trade value could be vital for the Broncos. They are without first- and second-round picks in 2023 because of the Wilson trade. According to Schefter, Denver isn't willing to trade a receiver like K.J. Hamler or Jerry Jeudy, leaving Chubb as their biggest in-season trade chip.

If the Broncos truly do have an offer of a first-round pick and more in their hands, they should take it.

According to Florio, the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Rams have been linked to the Broncos in the trade-rumor mill. These are teams looking to make a win-now move and perhaps willing to overpay to land a pass-rusher for the playoff push.

Teams may not be as eager to acquire a good-not-great pass-rusher with a notable injury history in the offseason and after they've begun to heavily evaluate the 2023 draft class.

Lastly, there's no guarantee that keeping Chubb would get Denver into the postseason or save Hackett's job. He's one of the team's better defenders, but most of its deficiencies have been on offense.

The Broncos rank second in yards and points allowed. They rank just 23rd in total offense and 31st in scoring.

The reality is that Chubb's value is probably as high as it's going to be right now. Denver may turn things around this season, and with little high-end draft capital left to address an obviously flawed roster, it has to at least consider taking advantage of this trade opportunity.