Following three phases of offseason work, the 2025 Miami Dolphins are in need of new leaders amidst a transition to a new culture and identity. There is a second-year linebacker who could be answering the call in Jordyn Brooks.
Brooks came to Miami after spending a productive five seasons with the Seahawks. The 6-foot linebacker started 55 of his 63 games in Seattle, finishing with 513 total tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 16 passes defended, 11 quarterback hits, 6.5 sacks and an interception.
Brooks had an outstanding first season with the Dolphins, tallying 143 tackles, a career-high 11 tackles for loss, six passes defended, six quarterback hits, and two fumble recoveries.
His 2024 tackle output was the third-most by a Miami player in 20 years and the highest since Zach Thomas went for 165 in 2006. Brooks was one of three players in the NFL during the 2024 season—joining Zaire Franklin and Nick Bolton—to have more than 100 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five passes defended, and three sacks.
Brooks was also one of just three players in the league in 2024 to record at least 13 tackles, a sack, and a pass defended in a single game, doing so in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans. The last time a Dolphins player accomplished this combination was in 2005 when Thomas made 17 tackles, along with one sack and a pass defended against the Carolina Panthers.
The production on the field was clear, as were his leadership qualities and intensity. All of which was applauded by outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips this past week during minicamp.
“The leaders are leaders because of merit and because of the respect they earn on the field. They’re not leaders because of name or because of how much you make or anything like that. You have to lead to lead. So guys like Jordyn Brooks, guys like ‘T. Dot,’ guys like Bradley obviously, Zach Sieler, these are the humblest dudes,” Phillips said.
Brooks is a player that should be in the conversation for team captain, as Miami said goodbye to several this offseason and with another departure pending an official trade of Jalen Ramsey. Also gone from last year’s leadership council for the Dolphins are retired left tackle Terron Armstead and once-again Arizona Cardinal defensive tackle Calais Campbell.
Of the eight total captains from last season, the Dolphins have three current players you can add another “C” to their uniforms in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, fullback Alec Ingold and defensive tackle Zach Sieler.
Enigmatic and controversial wide receiver Tyreek Hill is not a leadership lock for this season, even by his own admission. The door is open for multiple fresh captain badges to be stitched in South Florida. Brooks is as solid of a captain’s bet as anyone on the roster.
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