The Miami Dolphins have brought in a two-time Super Bowl champion to strengthen their linebacker group. Willie Gay Jr. will sign a one-year contract with the Dolphins, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, though the specifics of the deal are not yet known.
A second-round pick in 2020, Gay joins the Dolphins after spending the 2024 season with the New Orleans Saints and his first four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has started 55 out of 72 possible games. During his time with the Chiefs, Gay played a significant role in their three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, starting all nine playoff games during that period, including the back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023.
In 2022, Gay served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy due to an arrest on a misdemeanor criminal damage charge. He pleaded not guilty and eventually reached a plea deal that required him to participate in a diversion program. The incident stemmed from a dispute with the mother of his child, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Gay recorded over 230 combined tackles, five sacks, and four interceptions with the Chiefs. Despite his successful stint in Kansas City, he chose to sign a one-year, $3 million contract with the Saints in the 2024 offseason. In New Orleans, he started only eight out of 15 potential games, the lowest total since his rookie year. He finished the season with 28 combined tackles, two fumble recoveries, and two sacks.
Gay will likely compete for the starting inside linebacker position alongside Jordyn Brooks. He will need to outperform Tyrel Dodson, who also reportedly signed a two-year contract to return to the Dolphins. Dodson started three games for Miami in 2024 and was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Cleveland Browns.
Although Gay played as an inside linebacker for the Chiefs, he was used on the outside during his time with the Saints.
