Dolphins, Jordyn Brooks agree to extension

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 15: 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

The Miami Dolphins and linebacker Jordyn Brooks have agreed to a three-year contract extension, keeping the veteran with the team through the 2029 season. Earlier in the offseason, new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan identified core players he envisioned the Dolphins building around as they reset their roster for the future. With the extension of Brooks, Miami has now reached contract agreements with three of those players, including running back De'Von Achane and center Aaron Brewer.

Brooks' extension and contract details were first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Brooks contract details

The new extension, which adds the 2027, 2028, and 2029 seasons to Brooks' contract, is worth $51.3 million. It includes $35 million in guarantees. The new money, when it kicks in, will jump Brooks to $17.1 million in average per year, making him the fifth-highest paid linebacker in the league.

Prior to the extension, Brooks was entering the final season of the three-year contact he signed with the Dolphins as a free agent in 2024. He participated in all of the team's offseason training program, including all voluntary events, while working toward the extension.

Brooks' Dolphins' tenure

Since joining Miami, Brooks has locked down the middle of the team's defense. The 28-year-old has started all 34 games for the Dolphins, tallying 326 tackles, 6.5 sacks, nine passes defensed, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries. Last season, how 183 tackles led the league and he earned his first Pro Bowl selection. He was also a First-Team All-Pro selection for the first time in his career.

He originally entered the league as a first-round pick in 2020 by the Seattle Seahawks, spending his first four seasons with the team.

Who could be next?

The Dolphins have now extended three key members of their roster rebuild, working to add pieces around Achane, Brewer, and Brooks. But, who could be next in line for an extension?

Right tackle Austin Jackson signed a three-year contract extension with the team in 2023, making 2026 the final year on that deal. Based on his play, Jackson could be in line for another extension, but questions about his health continue to linger and probably forces the team to wait until he completes this season to consider a new contract. Jackson has only played 14 games the last two years, and Miami needs to see more availability from their 2020 first-round pick before they agree to another extension.

Linebacker Tyrel Dodson could also be a consideration for an extension, but the team may have positioned themselves this year to move on from the veteran 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 a projected replacement for Dodson in 2027.

Dolphins salary cap space

According to OverTheCap.com, the Dolphins have about $11.7 million in salary cap space for this season. The extension for Brooks may add some additional space if any of his salary was converted to a signing bonus or any void years were added to the back end of the deal.

Miami could still consider adding a free agent this summer to bolster their roster, or they may hold on to the money to address any injuries during the season. The Dolphins could also roll unused cap space into the 2027 salary cap.