Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson has been attacking this offseason, engaging in every opportunity to evolve.
The Miami Dolphins' pass rush will look very different in 2026, as third-year linebacker Chop Robinson is looking to rebound.
Robinson spoke to the media following the team's training camp practice, where he revealed his preparations in the offseason have been to improve his game in a major way. He spoke about cutting his weight down to 265 pounds and how that will only improve his abilities in the run game.
"I feel great," Robinson said. "I think in the run game especially, it's going to help me set the edge. When I put on the weight, I wasn't eating right, but I have a chef and everything now. So, I'm putting the right fuel in my body and I honestly felt the best I've ever felt."
Robinson suffered a down year in 2025, as then-head coach Mike McDaniel did not allow the linebacker the chance to start. In fact, he appeared in 16 games but only started three games.
The starts went to Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon. Both are now with other teams.
There is also a new head coach in Jeff Hafley, who has praised Robinson and expressed his excitement about how the young edge rusher operates. During an appearance on "The Joe Rose Show," the Miami head coach spoke about Robinson's effort in OTAs and more.
"I'm excited about Chop. I thought he did a really good job in OTAs. I spent a lot of time getting to know him. I talked to him throughout the summer. Um developed a good relationship with him. He came back. He looks great. He's about 265 lbs. So, he's as big and as strong as he's ever been. And that's important to me," Hafley said.
Robinson will have a lot of responsibility in 2026, not just in setting the tone for the pass rush. He will also be looked at as a leader, despite heading into his third year.
The Dolphins' defense will need to establish a strong run-stopping power, and that starts with players like Robinson, who Hafley believes can be the case with solid coaching.
"Guys got to be able to play the run. Um they got to be able to set edges. They got to be able to, you know, stick their face in there and get dirty and enjoy and embrace that. And then I think what you've seen his flashes of, he's got an elite get-off and he needs to be coached and developed. So, it's not just his get-off. He's got to develop, you know, some good pass rush moves, a counter, and he has to be able to finish," Hafley said,
Robinson can put himself in a very advantageous position if he can listen to Hafley and the rest of the defensive coaches and work on his pass rush moves. He has clearly put in the offseason work to get his body right, as Dolphins offensive lineman Austin Jackson pointed out.
"He [Robinson] looks stronger for sure. I remember in the summer I said he looks like he's been doing shoulder shrugs, cause he looks jacked, super rocked up," Jackson said.
Robinson has every chance to become a strong pass rusher, and he has lost weight and gained muscle to do just that. During his rookie season in 2024, he brought in six sacks and was nominated for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The 2025 season was more of a stark reality for Robinson, as he dropped to four sacks.
Now, he can look to the 2026 season to evolve and grow under Hafley. If the new Dolphins head coach can unlock potential within Robinson, the pass rush could become far less of a question and more of a celebrated unit.
