Dolphins Secure Key Defensive Player
The Miami Dolphins have reached a three-year contract extension agreement with veteran linebacker Jordyn Brooks. This deal is set to keep Brooks, who was a first-round pick in 2020 by Seattle, as a central component of the team’s ongoing rebuild. The agreement was reported by a source familiar with the details, who spoke anonymously as the team had not yet made an official announcement.
The extension is reportedly valued at $51.3 million, with $35 million of that amount guaranteed. This significant investment underscores the Dolphins’ commitment to Brooks, who joined the team in free agency before the 2024 season and has since emerged as a leader within the locker room.
Brooks’ performance in the previous season was notable, earning him his first All-Pro selection. He led the NFL with 183 tackles, including 99 solo tackles. His contributions were a bright spot during a season that saw changes in the team’s leadership, with general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel departing. The new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, had previously indicated the team’s desire to retain Brooks for the long term.
Brooks’ Impact and Career Highlights
Brooks’ career year in 2025 saw him lead the league in combined tackles, a total that tied for the 10th-most in a single season since the NFL began tracking the statistic in 1987. Beyond his tackling prowess, he also recorded 3.5 sacks, forced one fumble, and broke up three passes. Over the past two seasons, Brooks has accumulated 326 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks.
Heading into the 2026 season, Brooks made his debut on the NFL Top 100 list, ranking at No. 67. Additionally, he was ranked as the seventh-best off-ball linebacker by one report, based on input from executives, coaches, and scouts across the league. One coordinator described Brooks’ skill set as similar to that of Demario Davis in his earlier career, highlighting his strength, speed, physicality, ability to play in space, and proficiency as a tackler.
The Dolphins’ decision to keep Brooks on the roster late into the offseason signaled their high valuation of the player. Despite the team undergoing a reset with a new head coach, Jeff Hafley, and general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, Brooks remained with the franchise. This move came even as the team made other significant roster changes, such as trading Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, indicating a strategic choice to build around Brooks.
Dolphins’ Rebuild Efforts and Bengals’ Missed Opportunity
The extension for Brooks is part of a broader effort by the Dolphins to secure core players as they embark on their rebuild. In addition to Brooks, Miami has signed two other key players. In March, the team extended star running back De’Von Achane with a four-year, $64 million deal. Following that, in June, veteran center Aaron Brewer received a three-year contract worth $52.5 million.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals were reportedly among the teams interested in acquiring Brooks. The Bengals, who have faced defensive struggles, were said to have a serious tackling issue in the previous year. Brooks, with his league-leading tackles, would have been a fitting addition to their defense, which has ranked in the bottom 10 for yards allowed per game every year since 2022. The Bengals had also recently parted ways with their previous season’s sack leader, Trey Hendrickson.
Reports indicated that the Dolphins received numerous inquiries about trading Brooks but had no interest in moving him. This decision allowed Miami to retain a pillar of their defense, while the Bengals continue to face questions regarding their defensive improvements. The Bengals’ defense allowed the most touchdowns in the league, 60, and the second-most yards, 380 per game, in the previous season.
The agreement ensures that Brooks will continue to be a significant presence for the Dolphins for the next three years.
Source: wral.com