The Miami Dolphins have reached a three-year contract extension agreement with linebacker Jordyn Brooks, ensuring his presence with the team through the 2029 season. This move is part of the team’s strategy to build around core players as they restructure their roster for upcoming seasons. Brooks’ extension follows similar agreements with running back De’Von Achane and center Aaron Brewer, highlighting the new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan’s focus on retaining key talent.
The financial details of Brooks’ new contract, initially reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, include a total value of $51.3 million with $35 million guaranteed. This extension adds the 2027, 2028, and 2029 seasons to his existing contract. Once the new money takes effect, Brooks’ average annual salary will increase to $17.1 million, positioning him as one of the highest-paid linebackers in the league.
Brooks’ Impact and Performance
Brooks, who is 28 years old, has been a central figure in the Dolphins’ defense since joining the team. He has started all 34 games for Miami, demonstrating his consistent presence and leadership on the field. His contributions include 326 tackles, 6.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.
During the last season, Brooks led the league with 183 tackles, a performance that earned him his first Pro Bowl selection and his first First-Team All-Pro selection. His 183 combined tackles also tied for the tenth-most in a single season since the NFL began tracking the statistic in 1987. Additionally, he recorded 3.5 sacks and broke up three passes in that season.
Jordyn Brooks #20 of the Miami Dolphins reacts as he leads a huddle prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Pennsylvania on December 15, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images” width=”960″ height=”640″ />Before this extension, Brooks was entering the final year of the three-year contract he signed with the Dolphins as a free agent in 2024. He actively participated in all voluntary offseason training programs, working towards the new agreement. His consistent performance and leadership have made him an integral part of the team’s defensive unit.
Brooks originally entered the league as a first-round pick in 2020, spending his initial four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Dolphins. His arrival in Miami saw him quickly establish himself as a leader in the locker room, reinforcing his value to the franchise.
Roster Rebuild and Future Considerations
The Dolphins’ decision to extend Brooks underscores their commitment to a roster rebuild under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. Sullivan had previously stated the team’s desire to keep Brooks for the long term, recognizing his importance to the team’s foundation.
The team has already made significant moves in this rebuilding phase, including the extension of running back De’Von Achane, who signed a four-year, $64 million extension in March. Center Aaron Brewer also secured a three-year deal worth $52.5 million in June. These contracts indicate a clear strategy to secure key players for the future.
Looking ahead, other players could be candidates for extensions. Right tackle Austin Jackson, who signed a three-year extension in 2023, is entering the final year of that deal in 2026. While his performance suggests he could be in line for another extension, concerns about his health, having played only 14 games over the last two years, may lead the team to wait until he completes the current season before considering a new contract.
Linebacker Tyrel Dodson is another player whose future with the team might involve an extension, though the Dolphins may have prepared for a potential departure after the season. During the 2026 NFL Draft, Miami selected Jacob Rodriguez in the second round and Kyle Louis in the fourth round, both of whom could be considered potential replacements for Dodson in 2027.
Financially, the Dolphins currently possess approximately $11.7 million in salary cap space for the current season, according to OverTheCap.com. The extension for Brooks could potentially create additional cap space if portions of his salary were converted to a signing bonus or if void years were added to the agreement. This flexibility could allow Miami to pursue additional free agents this summer to strengthen their roster or to retain funds to address any in-season injuries. The team also has the option to roll any unused cap space into the 2027 salary cap.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
