All-Pro linebacker Jordyn Brooks agreed to a three-year extension with the Miami Dolphins, the team said on July 22.
A former first-round pick, Brooks led the league in tackles in 2025. Brooks’s extension is particularly notable because the Dolphins are burdened with the largest dead-cap hit in the NFL.
According to Spotrac, the deal is three years for $51.3 million, with $35 million of it guaranteed. It makes him the 10th-highest-paid linebacker in terms of both total value and average annual salary.
Brooks was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks out of Texas Tech with the 27th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He appeared in 14 games with 6 starts in his rookie year; he amassed 57 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 2 passes defended. He won the starting job in 2021 and played in all 17 games.
He totaled 184 tackles, a Seahawks franchise record. He also led the league in solo tackles with 109. He added a sack, 10 tackles for loss, 5 passes defended, and a fumble recovery.
He appeared in 16 games in 2022 and racked up 161 total tackles, a sack, 3 TFLs, a forced fumble, and a recovery. He played in the same number of games in 2023 and racked up 11 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, a career-high 4.5 sacks, 4 pass defenses, a forced fumble, a recovery, and his first career interception.
Brooks signed with the Dolphins in free agency in 2024. In his first year with the Dolphins, he racked up 143 total tackles, 11 TFLs, 3 sacks, 6 pass defenses, and 2 fumble recoveries. In 2025, he led the league in tackles with 183 and in solo tackles with 99; he had 13 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, a forced fumble, and a recovery.
The long-term commitment to Brooks is notable for several reasons.
First, the Dolphins heavily invested in the inside linebacker position in the offseason. They drafted Jacob Rodriguez out of Brooks’s alma mater, Texas Tech, in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft; they doubled down on the position in the fourth round by taking the University of Pittsburgh’s Kyle Louis.
They also signed former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Ronnie Harrison Jr. in free agency. They also have veteran Willie Gay Jr.—a 2020 draftmate—and journeyman Jackson Woodard on the roster.
Second, the Dolphins don’t have much cash on hand. After cutting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the ‘Phins absorbed the largest single dead cap hit in NFL history: they owe Tua $55.4 million in 2026 and $43.8 million in 2027.
On top of that, the Dolphins released veteran wide receiver Tyreek Hill, absorbing a $28.25 million dead cap hit, and edge rusher Bradley Chubb, taking on an $11 million dead cap hit. They traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, absorbing a $20.9 million hit from his contract.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, a former Dolphins draft pick who returned to the team in the Ramsey trade, was shipped out this offseason, leaving the Dolphins with just under $13 million in dead cap.
Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was shipped off to the Denver Broncos, but the Dolphins remained on the hook for his contract, some $23.2 million in dead cap. Left tackle Terron Armstead retired in 2025, but the Dolphins still owe him $10.7 million.
In total, the Dolphins owe more than $179 million dollars to 32 players no longer on the roster, the worst dead cap number in the NFL.
Despite this, the Dolphins have been able to lock up Brooks, running back De’Von Achane, and center Aaron Brewer, the “three pillars” the team wanted to build around to help quarterback Malik Willis have success.
