Here’s one of the understated storylines of the Miami Dolphins’ rebuild: It’s up to the nucleus of running back De’Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks to do something that previous leadership groups have failed to do for more than 30 years, which is bring the organization multiple playoff victories in a multi-year stretch.

The last Dolphins leadership group to deliver the franchise multiple playoff victories was the 1998-2000 crew that included Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor and Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas. They went 3-3 in a three-year stretch (quarterback Jay Fiedler was the starter in 2000; Marino retired after the 1999 season).

Can Achane-Brewer-Brooks match or surpass the achievement of Marino-Taylor-Thomas?

Theoretically, I think they can. That’s the good news about this situation. All three players are in the prime of their careers and all three are good leaders.

But it might not happen in the next three years. It might take four or five years. And you wonder whether this three-man nucleus will be together beyond, say, three years. That’s the harsh reality of this situation.

It’ll be tough to sync the best of Achane, Brooks and Brewer with the best of their teammates. The best days for Achane, Brooks and Brewer could be behind them by the time the rest of the team is hitting its stride.

Achane, Brewer and Brooks were called “pillars” of the rebuild by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, so they’ll be here for a few years.

But remember Brewer and Brooks are both 28 years old, which means they’ll soon be on the wrong side of 30, and Achane is a 191-pounder at a position that usually grinds bigger players down to a nub in a few short years.

And neither Achane nor Brooks nor Brewer has ever led a team to a single playoff victory, let alone multiple playoff victories, adding another degree of difficulty.

This won’t be easy.

It should be pointed out that Achane and Brewer received contract extensions this offseason. However, based on Sullivan including Brooks in his statement about that trio being “pillars” that the franchise builds around, expect Brooks to get an extension at some point soon.

Now, back to the big picture.

The Dolphins should feel good about this on-field leadership group.

If attitude and mentality are vital to the Dolphins having postseason success, the Achane-Brewer-Brooks trio has them pointed in the right direction.

They’re among the hardest-working and most-respected players on the team. All three play hurt, and all three rarely miss a game or practice.

Brooks played 985 defensive snaps last season (92%), Brewer played 914 offensive snaps (93%) and Achane played 697 (71%) offensive snaps.

Plus, they’re productive players.

Achane earned his first Pro Bowl berth last season after rushing for 1,350 yards, which was fifth in the NFL. He’s quiet and understated, but teammates will follow his example.

Brooks earned his first All Pro nod last season, a first-team berth, after leading the NFL in tackles with 183. He speaks his mind while being respectful and respected. That’s a tough balancing act.

Brewer also earned his first All Pro nod last season, a second-team berth, after being judged among the NFL’s best by Pro Football Focus, which graded him 87.5 overall, which was second among NFL centers, and 91.5 at run blocking, first among centers. He’s fiery, intelligent and good-humored. All are good leadership skills.

There’s something else working in the Dolphins’ favor as they embark on this endeavor of success — numerous other teams have accomplished in a two- or three-year span what Miami endeavors to achieve with its new on-field leadership group.

The Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks come immediately to mind under the leadership of quarterback Sam Darnold, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence and cornerback Devon Witherspoon.

Detroit did it from 2023-25, advancing to the NFC Championship with a leadership group of quarterback Jared Goff, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, linebacker Jack Campbell and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

The Seahawks and Lions are examples of teams that basically jelled in two or three seasons and achieved big things in the postseason.

If the Dolphins are to follow suit, quarterback Malik Willis will have to be among the team leaders, and most likely left tackle Patrick Paul and defensive tackle Zach Sieler would be instrumental in Miami’s success. The same is true for some of the recent top draft picks such as defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, the 2025 first-round pick, edge rusher Chop Robinson, the 2024 first-round pick and others.

Mostly, however, this is about the “pillars” of the rebuild.

At a glance, it seems ridiculous to say the Achane-Brewer-Brooks trio must perform better in the postseason over a multi-year stretch than the Marino-Taylor-Thomas trio.

But that’s the challenge.

If they meet this challenge, the rebuild will be deemed a success and the Achane-Brewer-Brooks trio will earn a treasured spot in franchise history.

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