It was too early to give up on Chop Robinson and if you don't believe me, consider he had 10 pressures ― count 'em, 10 ― in the Miami Dolphins' recent loss at the Minnesota Vikings.
"He has every God-given tool to be one of the very best in the league," Dolphins veteran edge rusher Josh Uche said.
It was too early to give up on Chop Robinson and that's because effort and motor are not now and are never going to be the issue for the third-year player from Penn State.
"He's just been just going, just locked in, focused," Dolphins veteran defensive tackle Zach Sieler.
Everyone is worried about Chop because he's had two concussions in college and three concussions in the NFL and the last two Sundays he's worn a protective Guardian cap.
It did not change
the way Chop attacked his assignments.
It was too early to give up on Chop Robinson and that's because he's still only 23 years old and he still has explosive first step and this offseason he added strength and power.
He showed off that power when bullying Vikings offensive tackles, including one rush that led to a sack, and his patented chop wood celebration.
"It felt great," Robinson said of the sack. "I felt like I was touching (Kyler Murray) and getting close to him. I felt like eventually it was going to come. I just had to keep rushing. Keep doing my job. And earn the right to rush. And I finally got one."
Chop Robinson was a PROBLEM for Minnesota’s offensive line all afternoon.
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) October 5, 2026
10 PRESSURES, 3 QBH, 1 SACK, 32.3% PRESSURE RATE vs Vikings pic.twitter.com/xm10KmP2ZX
Robinson had 10 sacks in the first two seasons of his NFL career. And the former first-rounder was going to be counted on to deliver at least that many this year.
We'll see if Chop can stay healthy. If he can, he has a chance to still hit that mark. Chop is that talented.
He's been working on adding to the tool kit of pass rush moves. He's been working desperately to please coaches who, understandably, have needed to be sold on the idea he can set an edge and stop the run.
"In the run game too, I still think people aren't going to give him credit, but he's physical in the run game," Miami coach Jeff Hafley said. "He's setting edges, he's getting off blocks, he's tackling. I thought he played well, and I'd like to see him continue to take steps and try to do it again."
The Dolphins are going to push Chop hard because they need him to come close to the expectation of a former 21st overall pick. They cannot give up on former top picks simply because they were selected by the previous regime.
Miami is desperate for pass rush with former standouts like Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips gone.
It just so happens Chop is the only Dolphins player in at least the last 10 years to post a game with double-digit pressures.
Last week, Hafley noted Uche's sack came on a Robinson pressure.
This really was Chop Robinson at his best.
Demeioun "Chop" Robinson best pass-rusher on Miami roster
This Packers-type scheme should suit Robinson's skill-set perfectly.
He can get after the quarterback with the benefit of varied spacing and angles.
"Getting into a rhythm and getting into a routine," Hafley said of what led to Robinson's breakout game.
Robinson knows there are some observers who have already determined that he cannot and will not live up to expectations.
But I have also seen Robinson absolutely dominate in practices over the last two spring and summers.
This is not a matter of talent. Robinson has plenty.
"I have to build on this," Chop was saying in the locker room after his excellent performance.
Aside from perhaps quarterback Malik Willis, it can be argued ― and it was, by this writer ― that no player is as important to the Dolphins' success this season than Chop Robinson.
Miami is very inexperienced in the secondary. The team needs Chop to create relentless disruption and give the defense a chance to get off the field quicker than it has in Weeks 1-4.
Chop Robinson contract decision coming after season
It's hard to know how any concussion concerns may impact Miami's decision on Chop's fifth-year option. But either way, he's under contract for this season and his fourth, 2027.
The deadline for that fifth-year option will be May 1, 2027 with the window starting after this season.
Miami may very well use a high draft pick in the 2027 NFL Draft on a pass rusher. But if Robinson can begin to reach his ceiling, it could ease some of the immense pressure to do so.
After all, Miami will quite possibly also be targeting draft options at: quarterback, offensive tackle or guard, wide receiver, cornerback, defensive tackle and/or safety.
It's too early to give up on Chop Robinson. Let's see if he can bring it again in Week 5.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Threads and Instagram and X at @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Chop Robinson's dominant day changes the Dolphins conversation
