Dolphins’ Aaron Brewer primed for bigger leadership role after contract extension
Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer had some company when he signed his contract extension.
Offensive linemen Kadyn Proctor, Jonah Savaiianae and Patrick Paul joined the 2025 second-team All-Pro, something that showcased just not who he is as a leader but as a person.
“In my position, I can’t do anything alone,” Brewer said. “It was a collective effort and also, they’re young right now and just have them there to see the whole process and just keep them by my side, like they’re my brothers right now. Right now and forever on. So I just felt it was special to have them there with me.”
Now signed through 2029, Brewer currently finds himself as the unquestioned leader of the offensive line. The unit has an influx of talent in Proctor, Miami’s 2026 first-round pick, as well as promising pieces like Paul and Savaiianae, the latter of whom’s return to the right side could be a huge difference-maker. Brewer, however, could not have set a better example, according to coach Jeff Hafley.
“Like most leaders, it’s not just about him,” Hafley said, praising Brewer for bringing his teammates to sign his contracts. “It’s about his teammates and he wanted to celebrate individual success with others because without those others, he probably wouldn’t have had the same success, and he’s a good enough human and a good enough leader to appreciate that, realize that and share that with those guys. That’s what this team hopefully will all be about. It will be about, hopefully there’s team success, which will lead to individual success, and those individuals will share it with their teammates.”
With running back De’Von Achane and Brewer officially the building blocks, it’s no stretch to say the offensive line can make or break the Dolphins in 2026. That provides an opportunity for the star center to evolve as a leader.
“Just trying to get everyone on the same path, like the same mentality I have, like just that same like aggressiveness,” Brewer said. “Just everything intentional, taking every play one play at a time. We’re not worried about the game. You can only control one play. You’re going to be where your feet at. And so trying to maximize each rep individually in itself, not worrying about the next play, not worrying about the last play, like making the best of each play while we’re out there.”
It’s no secret that the Dolphins plan to run the ball a lot more in 2026. If the pick of Proctor doesn’t speak to that, the extensions of Brewer, who was dynamic in former coach Mike McDaniel’s scheme in 2025, and Achane certainly do. Hafley even firmly stated his commitment to the run during his opening press conference.
“There are certain core beliefs that I really do believe in like running the ball and being really physical up front,” Hafley said in late January, “so when they know we’re going to run the ball, we’re still going to run it well.”
Achane – and Jaylen Wright, for that matter – love the emphasis on the run.
“That sounds good with me, running the ball more,” Achane said. “I ain’t got no problems with that. We want to mix it up a little bit. He does want to be more of a running team, and I’m okay with that. But you know, we’re going to kind of balance it out though.”
Added Wright: “Running that rock is very important, it’s crucial. I’m happy that this coaching staff has really invested into the o-line a lot. Got more players, these guys, I trust those guys up front. I’m ready to go to work and go to war with them.”
Brewer, for one, has huge aspirations for 2026, chief among them being the best center in the league. And while that obviously serves as personal goal, even then he refuses to shy away from the importance of team success.
“There’s always room to growth,” Brewer said. “I wasn’t perfect. Ain’t no such thing as perfect, but I’m chasing perfection. And so that’s all I got to do. I try to be the No. 1 center in the league. We got to try to be the No. 1 rushing offense in the league. No. 1 passing offense. No. 1 offense as a whole. I’m trying to go first-team All-Pro. I want everybody else to go first-team All-Pro. Pro Bowl, Protector of the Year. Like those are the top of the top and so that’s what we’re striving for.”
This story was originally published July 30, 2026 at 3:25 PM with the headline "Dolphins’ Aaron Brewer primed for bigger leadership role after contract extension."
