The Miami Dolphins and linebacker Jordyn Brooks have reached an agreement on a three-year contract extension, which will keep him with the team through the 2029 season. This extension is part of a broader strategy by new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan to build around core players as the team reconstructs its roster.
The deal, first reported by ESPN‘s Adam Schefter, is valued at $51.3 million and includes $35 million in guaranteed money. 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.
Before this extension, Brooks was entering the final year of a three-year contract he signed with the Dolphins as a free agent in 2024. He participated in all voluntary offseason training programs while working towards this new agreement.
Brooks’ Impact on the Dolphins
Since joining Miami, Brooks has been a central figure in the team’s defense. The 28-year-old has started all 34 games for the Dolphins, accumulating 326 tackles, 6.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries. In his most recent season, he led the league with 183 tackles, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and his first First-Team All-Pro selection.
Brooks originally entered the league in 2020 as a first-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks, where he spent his first four seasons. His performance last season, which included 99 solo tackles, was a highlight in a season that saw changes in the team’s leadership, including the firing of general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel.
General manager Sullivan had previously expressed the Dolphins’ desire to retain Brooks long-term. His strong play and leadership qualities have made him a significant asset to the team’s ongoing rebuild.
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″ />Roster Rebuilding Efforts
With Brooks’ extension, the Dolphins have now secured contract agreements with three key players identified for their roster rebuild. These include running back De’Von Achane, who signed a four-year, $64 million extension in March, and center Aaron Brewer, who agreed to a three-year, $52.5 million deal in June.
The team’s new leadership, including new head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Sullivan, has been actively reshaping the roster. This commitment to Brooks underscores his importance to the franchise, especially after the team opted to keep him rather than explore trade opportunities, such as the one that saw Jaylen Waddle move to the Denver Broncos.
Other players could also be considered for extensions. Right tackle Austin Jackson, who signed a three-year extension in 2023, has 2026 as the final year of his current deal. However, concerns about his availability, having played only 14 games in the last two years, may lead the team to wait until after the upcoming season before considering a new contract.
Linebacker Tyrel Dodson is another player who might be in line for an extension, though the team’s selections of Jacob Rodriguez in the second round and Kyle Louis in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft could indicate potential future replacements for Dodson in 2027.
Salary Cap Implications
The Dolphins currently have approximately $11.7 million in salary cap space for the current season, according to OverTheCap.com. Brooks’ extension could potentially create additional cap space if portions of his salary were converted into a signing bonus or if void years were added to the end of the deal.
Miami may use this cap space to sign additional free agents to strengthen their roster or to cover potential injuries during the season. Any unused cap space could also be rolled over into the 2027 salary cap.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.