Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has followed through on a plan to extend the top two leaders on the team, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks.
For a very young team starting over, securing Brewer and Brooks as stable pillars were essential moves.
It’s a three-year extension for Brooks, a league source confirms, worth $51.3 million and $35 million guaranteed, ESPN said.
Brooks is a fierce hitter who led the league in tackles last season. It was a whopping 183 stops.
He’s also the player who memorably had a Pop-A-Shot yanked from the Miami locker room last season.
And, yes, he’s the player who called out his defense as “soft” after a cold-weather loss at Green Bay.
Brooks, 28, is everything first-year head coach and defensive play-caller Jeff Hafley needs and wants squarely in the middle of Miami’s defense moving forward.
Miami Dolphins and Jordyn Brooks agree to contract extension
On offense, Brewer, also 28, is also right in the middle of things, as the center. He is a strong team leader. He’s accountable. And he’s athletic. And tough.
Brewer is everything Hafley and offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik need and want to help show the way for youngsters. Miami may have the NFL’s youngest roster in 2026.
Who could be a better player to line up next to rookie lineman Kadyn Proctor than Brewer? You would be hard pressed to identify someone.
Who could be a better player to line up next to rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez than Brooks? You would be hard pressed to identify anyone.
These are young veterans from the great state of Texas.
And Brooks agreeing to an extension on the day 13 drafted rookies report to training camp sends a great message to the locker room.
Brewer and Brooks came to Miami as respected players, but also players too easily overlooked in a room littered with stars. They are pleasant, but they bring serious vibes. They care about their craft. They care about their teammates.. They care about winning.
Brewer was second-team All-Pro last season. Overlooked for the Pro Bowl, but some respect was given.
Brooks was a first-team All-Pro last season. Players and media appreciate the way he plays the game.
Miami Dolphins training camp opens as rookies report
Miami’s roster has been gutted. But these were two cornerstones worth keeping.
(And yes, so too was star running back De’Von Achane, only 24 years old.)
Sullivan and Hafley identified the right young veterans to extend.
Brooks and Brewer are right in the middle of things on defense and offense.
And they’ll be right in the middle of what Miami hopes will be a dramatic and successful relaunch in the coming years.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins smartly reach contract extension with Jordyn Brooks
Reporting by Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
