Dolphins to re-sign two-time Chiefs Super Bowl champion LB on one-year deal

The Miami Dolphins have had an active offseason so far in 2026. Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley have been busy to begin the offseason.

But, other than Malik Willis, the majority of their moves have been cutting players. Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, and others have been cut. Their next move isn't a cut, but instead a depth addition to the defense.

According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Dolphins are set to re-sign former two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, and free agent veteran linebacker Willie Gay Jr., to a one-year contract.

Dolphins to re-sign Willie Gay on one-year deal

"I'm told LB Willie Gay is returning to the Dolphins on a 1-year deal, per league source," Anderson reported Wednesday.

Gay is a 28-year-old veteran linebacker who was drafted in the second round at pick No. 63 by the Chiefs in 2020.

He's made 57 starts in his six-year NFL career, most of which came with the Chiefs from 2020 through 2023. During his four-year Chiefs stint, he won two Super Bowls, had four interceptions, five sacks, 233 tackles, and 17 tackles for loss.

More: Dolphins agree to $67.5 million deal with Malik Willis

After spending 2024 with the New Orleans Saints, Gay joined the Dolphins for the 2025 season. He made just two starts, though he played in all 17 games as a backup linebacker.

He finished the year with two passes defended, two sacks, 20 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits on 131 snaps, or just 12% of the Dolphins' defensive snaps last season.

Gay is returning to the Dolphins on a one-year deal, according to Anderson, and will help give Miami some extra depth for Hafley's new defense in 2026.

There isn't any mention of what the contract will be for, but that means it's not going to be an expensive deal for Gay. It's a cheap one-year contract to bring an experienced veteran back to Miami for some quality depth in the linebacker room.

More Dolphins news:

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• De'Von Achane expected to have extension talks with Dolphins
• Tua Tagovailoa is big winner of free agency after joining Falcons
• Tua Tagovailoa quickly picked Falcons after release from Dolphins
• Dolphins trade Minkah Fitzpatrick to Jets for late round pick
• Tua Tagovailoa will have $60+ million cap hit for Dolphins in 2026