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The Miami Dolphins re-signed a linebacker
The Miami Dolphins had success in the 2024 offseason with free-agent additions, as they signed All-Pro players like Jordyn Brooks and Aaron Brewer. Additionally, the team signed Jonnu Smith and Calais Campbell, who were two of the top performers during the season.
In 2025, Miami tried to replicate some of that formula; however, they failed to find that same level of success. The team signed veterans like James Daniels and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to multi-year deals, both were released after the season due to disappointing results.
While they did get some strong performances out of some of their free-agent additions, like cornerback Rasul Douglas, other signings did not get a chance to see the field much during the year. One of those players was linebacker Willie Gay, who impressed during training camp and the preseason, but was rarely used during the regular season. Despite barely seeing the field during the 2025 season, the Miami Dolphins have decided to retain the linebacker for the 2026 season.
Miami Dolphins Re-Sign Linebacker
NFL insider Josina Anderson reported the Miami Dolphins had re-signed linebacker Willie Gay to a one-year deal. Prior to signing with the Dolphins in 2025, Gay had previously spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints, where he had totaled $9.5 million in career earnings.
In 2025, Gay had a career-low 20 combined tackles as he started the fewest games in any of his six-year NFL career. Gay played in only 12.2% of Miami’s defensive snaps during the season.
His low snap count was somewhat of a surprise as he had been seen as one of Miami’s top training camp performers. During training camp, Miami Herald writer Omar Kelly posted on X, “I stand on this. Willie Gay has been a top 5 performer of camp. Not just on defense. Every single day he’s balling.”
Regarding his training camp performances, Miami Herald writer Claude Smalls wrote, “Through 10 practices, Gay has not only emerged as one of the standouts of training camp but arguably the most consistent player. His body of work can be summed up in just two words: energized playmaker. Whether a sack, pass breakup, interception or tackle for loss, Gay gets his hands on the ball — and his teammates juiced in the process.”
Dolphins Linebackers
In order to earn playing time this year, Gay will have to surpass All-Pro linebacker Jordyn Brooks or Tyrel Dodson on the team’s depth chart. He will no longer have to worry about competition from linebacker K.J. Britt, who played a similar amount to Gay in 2025, as he signed with the division rival New England Patriots.
The re-signing of Gay may also indicate that the team could release linebacker Tyrel Dodson. Sports Illustrated’s Alain Poupart mentioned Dodson as a possible cut candidate, he wrote, “The one player remaining who looks like a potential cut candidate is linebacker Tyrel Dodson, who the Dolphins could release to create $3 million of cap space. But Dodson’s cap number currently is $3.8 million, which isn’t very high for the production he provided in 2025.”
This could also simply be a case of the new Dolphins front office and coaching staff liking Gay as a player and wanting him as part of the team in 2026.
Jose Esquer Jose Esquer is a Mexican-American sportswriter and communications student based in San Diego, CA. His work spans football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. He has written for platforms like RotoWire and DolphinsTalk. You can find him on Twitter/X @JEsquer8, usually talking Dolphins, world football, or both. More about Jose Esquer
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