Chris Perkins: Dolphins extend contracts of right players for right reasons

Chris Perkins, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Jul 23, 2026

Published in Football

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Here’s the most encouraging thing about the new Dolphins regime, led by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley: they walk the walk.

Any higher-ups can talk the talk. Any executive and head coach can say running back De’Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks are pillars of the franchise. It’s a no-brainer to say you want two All Pros (Brewer and Brooks) and a Pro Bowl performer (Achane) on your team.

But Sullivan, who was hired in January, signed them all to contract extensions during his first six months on the job. Achane got his extension in May, Brewer got his extension in June, and Brooks got his contract extension Tuesday. Sullivan put action behind his words. He followed through. That means everything. It makes a statement to players and fans that you retain the players you identified as “pillars” of the franchise.

After the Dolphins dealt wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos in March, continuing an eye-opening franchise purge, it seemed anyone could have been traded or released.

But Sullivan didn’t allow talent to walk out the door the way the previous regime allowed guard Robert Hunt and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to depart. They didn’t allow Achane, Brewer or Brooks to get to a hostile, resentful, “bet on myself” final year of their contract.

Just as importantly, Sullivan and Hafley identified the correct leadership core to reward with contract extensions, unlike the previous regime, which gave ill-advised extensions after the 2023 season.

This regime — including advisors Daniel Sillman, the CEO of owner Steve Ross’ Relevent Sports Group, and Troy Aikman, the Hall of Fame quarterback — continues to show they’re different, and that it’s a new day in Dolphinsland. That’s another one of the most encouraging things about this rebuild. This group is showing, thankfully, that it’s not “business as usual” for the Dolphins.

But allow me to pause, take a deep breath and acknowledge a reality.

I fully understand that Sillman, Aikman, Sullivan and Hafley still have lots to prove. For example, they must show that they can draft and develop, which are the tentpoles of this rebuild. They must show that they can adjust to inevitable occurrences such as injuries, unexpected failures and unexpected successes. They must show that they can manage a coaching staff, scouting department and wisely manage the salary cap.

So, yeah, the new regime is a long way from being successful.

But things continue moving in a positive direction in the early stages of the rebuild.

Those extensions are reasons to celebrate and appreciate on a few levels.

The extensions went to a trio that has rightfully earned the right to be called “pillars.” It’s a label that wasn’t handed out without thought. And that’s another encouraging element to the rebuild. The building blocks, the guys who most align with what Sullivan and Hafley are trying to do, were identified quickly.

Achane, Brewer and Brooks are class acts on the field and in the locker room. They practice every day. They play hurt. They work hard. They’re not motivated by social media likes or popularity. They’re motivated by success.

Defensive tackle Zach Sieler, a three-time team captain and one of the hardest workers on the roster, will be 31 years old when the Dolphins open the season. That’s likely the reason he didn’t fit into the “pillar” status.

Left tackle Patrick Paul, the 2024 second-round pick who was a strong performer last season and is respected in the locker room, has only been a starter for one year. Perhaps that’s why he hasn’t yet fit into “pillar” status.

Waddle? Well, yes the Dolphins got a good return for Waddle in their trade with Denver. Miami received 2026 first-, third- and fourth-round picks in exchange for Waddle and a 2026 fourth-rounder.

But I suspect Waddle, such as Sieler, Paul, defensive end Chop Robinson and a few other notables, wouldn’t have fit into the “pillar” classification.

Be encouraged that the Dolphins gave those contract extensions to Achane, Brewer and Brooks. And be more encouraged for the reasons they gave those extensions to that trio.

____