The Miami Dolphins have inked a one-year deal with linebacker Willie Gay Jr. Previously, Gay played for New Orleans last season after launching his career with Kansas City. During his stint with New Orleans, he participated in 15 matchups, starting in eight, and tallied 28 tackles, two sacks, three deflected passes, one forced fumble, and two tackles for loss. These stats reflect a slight decline from his earlier performances when he was notably more engaged on the field.
Gay’s career highlights peaked while he was with Kansas City. During one of his standout seasons, he started 13 games, amassing 51 tackles, 2.5 sacks, eight pass deflections, one interception, and nine tackles for loss.
His significant postseason experience is commendable too, with two championships and involvement in nine playoff games, where he played a pivotal role in several decisive defensive plays during back-to-back title runs.
The Dolphins are focusing on enhancing their linebacker corps this offseason. Gay joins a unit filled with up-and-coming talents and recent acquisitions. Although he’s not anticipated to be a leading starter, he will vie for the position of a key backup among other linebackers. His influence on special teams will be vital for earning a permanent place on the final roster.
Gay’s adaptability also shines through in special teams, where his prior experience could be crucial. Recently, he has been a regular contributor to special teams, a role that might become his primary focus if he aims to cement his spot on the team. Excelling in this area will necessitate outshining competitors who have also made notable contributions to the unit, highlighting the need for a comprehensive performance in the forthcoming season.