Should the Dolphins Trade Jordyn Brooks?

Should the Dolphins Trade Jordyn Brooks?

General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has made it crystal clear that he believes in building a team through younger players, primarily through the NFL draft.

Jordyn Brooks is a former first-round draft choice by the Seattle Seahawks in 2020 and is coming off his best season as a pro with a league-leading 183 tackles, earning first-team All-Pro status.

Brooks is only 28 years old and in the prime of his career, so why not trade him now, given he would command a decent draft pick in 2027?

And Brooks is in the last year of his contract with Miami, so he expects an extension sometime this offseason.

With the team’s compromised salary-cap situation, why add more financial stress to Sullivan’s plate?

There is an argument to be made for trading Jordyn Brooks rather than giving him a contract extension, but it is fraught with fundamental issues.

The Dolphins can barely field a starting roster worthy of the NFL, and although both linebackers, Jacob Rodriguez and Kyle Louis, are on the roster, both are unproven rookies.

Perceiving the current linebacker room as having players who could be superfluous is short-sighted.

And head coach Jeff Hafley has made it clear that he wants to win in 2026, not simply roll over and tank.

Hafley intends to do this by demanding maximum effort from all his players and a winning attitude.

The fact that Sullivan and Hafley have committed financially to quarterback Malik Willis and running back De’Von Achane signals their intention to field the most competitive team possible.

So, despite the salary-cap hell Sullivan and Hafley inherited, they are committed to building a roster with whatever pieces they have.

Jordyn Brooks, as well as center Aaron Brewer, are two of those pieces, and I fully expect that both of their contracts are extended this offseason.

Do I expect that the 2026 Miami Dolphins will win more than four or five games?

No, I do not.

But fans will still attend games, buy the Dolphins’ merchandise, spend money on concessions, and have pre-game tailgate parties.

So, should the Dolphins trade Jordyn Brooks?

My answer is a resounding no.