After locking up De’Von Achane to a 4-year deal last month, the Miami Dolphins have finally come to terms with star center Aaron Brewer on a 3-year contract extension. This has been a major cloud hanging over Miami as it enters training camp, and there have been plenty of trade rumors regarding Brewer that this deal ultimately squashes for the near future. Re-signing Brewer really shows the team’s commitment to building around the pieces they already have on the roster, which is a huge sign of optimism as Miami enters its rebuild.
Aaron Brewer Contract Details
According to Adam Schefter, the Miami Dolphins and Aaron Brewer have agreed to a 3-year, $52.5 million deal, with $37 million guaranteed. The $17.5 million AAV is 3rd among all centers behind the perennial All-Pros of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey and new Las Vegas Raiders acquisition Tyler Linderbaum. Brewer is getting paid like a top 3 center in the league, and his season last year suggests that the contract billing is 100% warranted.
Last year was an absolute breakout season for the 6-year veteran Brewer, as his production soared, earning him a Protector of the Year finalist nod and 2nd Team All-Pro honors. His pass-blocking ability improved somewhat from a 70.2 Pro Football Focus grade in 2024 to a 71.2 grade in 2025, but his real improvement was his breakout run-blocking ability in a zone-run-heavy scheme. According to PFF, Brewer’s 91.5 run-blocking grade was the best among all centers and 2nd among all interior offensive linemen. This run-blocking breakout helped Brewer grade out as the 2nd-best center in the NFL last season, only behind the aforementioned Creed Humphrey.
Projecting the Miami Dolphins Offensive Line
Brewer’s success last season was aided by former head coach Mike McDaniel’s offense, which used him as a lead blocker on outside zone runs. Brewer is actually relatively undersized for an offensive lineman at 6’1″ and 295 lbs, though some sources have him listed lighter. This has been used to his advantage, however, as this allows him to get off the ball and get in front of outside running opportunities. Brewer’s rare athleticism allows him to outposition his opponents, whether they be defensive linemen or the smaller second- and third-level defenders. His ability to block the run was a big reason for De’Von Achane’s success and for the running game as a whole last season.
Obviously, with McDaniel being fired and going to the Los Angeles Chargers, the offensive scheme will be a bit different from last year. However, new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik was on the staff last season as a senior pass game coordinator and is also from the Shanahan coaching tree, so while the offensive scheme will be different, it shouldn’t be drastic enough to lead to a dip in Brewer’s production. With Brewer holding down the fort in the middle of the offensive line, the unit around him is still figuring itself out, but Miami has invested heavily in the unit to hopefully keep new quarterback Malik Willis upright and De’Von Achane on top of his game.
To Brewer’s left, he’ll have perhaps the largest left side of an offensive line in football with rookie Kadyn Proctor and 3rd-year tackle Patrick Paul. Proctor will most likely have growing pains in his first season in the NFL, but it should be masked by being between Brewer and an established good left tackle in Paul. To Brewer’s right is 2nd-year guard Jonah Savaiinaea and the longest-tenured lineman in Miami, Austin Jackson. Savaiinaea struggled mightily last season and still needs plenty of development, and Jackson is perfectly adequate but injury-prone and could be out of Miami after this season since his contract will be over.
The offensive line group is far from perfect, but the building blocks are at least there for a potentially solid unit. If everything falls the right way for Miami on the offensive line, they could have four starting offensive linemen (three of whom would be under 25) locked up and signed for the 2027-2028 season as well.
What’s Next for the Miami Dolphins?
Seeing as the Miami Dolphins have now locked up their two biggest impending offensive free agents, focus will turn towards the other side of the ball and the final marquee player in need of an extension: middle linebacker Jordyn Brooks. Brooks is in a similar boat to Aaron Brewer before the extension, as his name has been linked to trade rumors during the offseason. Both are 29 and coming off a breakout All-Pro season for a team that most likely won’t compete until their mid-30s. Still, like Aaron Brewer, the Dolphins would love to retain Jordyn Brooks.
Obviously, Miami invested in linebackers in the 2026 NFL draft with second-round pick Jacob Rodriguez and fifth-round pick Kyle Louis, but these two can certainly slot into the defense surrounding Brooks rather than replacing him. Still, of the three main contract disputes that the Miami Dolphins would have to answer this summer, it’s no surprise that Brooks’ negotiation is taking the most time. He is the most expendable of the three core stars.
For now, though, this re-signing of Brewer is a great sign for Miami in the new staff’s quest to rebuild the team from the remnants of the Chris Grier-era Dolphins. So far, the decisions made have been what you want to see if you’re a Dolphins fan, and while the team is still not expected to compete this season, optimism is beginning to circulate in South Beach.
Main Photo: Isabella Frias-Imagn Images
