The Miami Dolphins’ 2025 season did not turn out the way fans would have wanted. During the 2024 season, despite their slow start, their playoff chances remained alive until the regular season finale. However, things were different in 2025, as the team got off to a 1-6 start and fired general manager Chris Grier.
Miami did end up winning six of their last nine games, but that did not prevent owner Stephen Ross from firing head coach Mike McDaniel and wanting to begin another rebuild. New general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley will be the men in charge of ushering in this new era of Dolphins football.
As a result, the team’s roster promises to look different during the 2026 season, and that means letting players go during free agency. Now, one member of the 2025 Dolphins roster has signed with the division rival New England Patriots on a one-year deal.
Former Miami Dolphins Linebacker Signs With Patriots
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that former Dolphins linebacker K.J. Britt signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots.
Britt signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Dolphins prior to the 2025 season, which brought his career earnings to $4.8 million after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Britt appeared in all 17 regular-season games for the Dolphins, playing 148 defensive snaps and 77% of the team’s special teams snaps.
He was behind starting linebackers Tyrel Dodson and Jordyn Brooks on the depth chart, which resulted in Britt playing the fewest defensive snaps since 2022. Britt’s primary strengths defensively were against the run, as he struggled in pass coverage. He received a below-average 44.6 grade by Pro Football Focus in pass coverage.
Regarding the signing, SB Nation’s Matt St. Jean wrote, “K.J. Britt is competent as a run defender and has experience on special teams, which is all you can ask for from a depth linebacker. I expect him to compete for a job in camp with someone the Patriots draft at the position, but he also functions as insurance if the board doesn’t fall their way.” He gave the signing a ‘C’ grade for the Patriots.
Britt will now join former Dolphins tight end Julian Hill, as Hill signed a three-year deal with the Patriots.
Dolphins Re-Sign Linebacker
While Miami lost Britt, the team did retain some linebacker depth as they re-signed Willie Gay to a one-year deal. Like Britt, Gay spent the majority of the season behind Brooks and Dodson on the team’s depth chart.
Regarding Gay’s signing, Dolphins writer Brian Miller wrote, “Despite being available for all of Miami’s 17 games, Willie Gay started just two despite the need for help in coverage. He took just 12% of the team’s 2025 defensive snap counts, spending 29% of his snaps on special teams. Fans spent all season asking why.
It will now be Jeff Hafley’s turn to find a use for Gay. The Dolphins have decided to retain the linebacker who looked ready to start during training camp and preseason. A new regime, a new coach, and a new direction make this more sensible for the LB.”
Dolphins Lose $4.8 Million Linebacker to Division Rival in Free Agency