The Baltimore Ravens have been linked to a possible trade for Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks, whose value has soared after an All-Pro campaign in 2025. Brooks is in the last year of a three-year, $26.24 million deal and has become one of the more popular trade candidates in the run-up to training camp. No deal seems to be in the works at the moment, but league speculation has the Ravens possibly eyeing the 28-year-old defender, even with Roquan Smith's monstrous $32.7 million cap hit for 2026 already on the books. Brooks could be one of the most coveted defensive names available if Miami continues to tinker with its roster.
Which teams are interested in Jordyn Brooks?
Baltimore has emerged as one of the most intriguing potential destinations for Brooks. The Ravens already feature one of football's premier linebackers in Roquan Smith, but adding Brooks would give the defense another proven playmaker entering his prime years.
Anthony Palacios of Last Word on Sports believes the fit makes sense because Baltimore continues searching for impact defenders capable of elevating an already competitive roster. The Ravens have spent recent months exploring major defensive additions and remain focused on maximizing their championship window.
“After letting veteran Kyle Van Noy go and losing Dre'Mont Jones to New England, the Ravens haven't stopped making massive upgrades to their defensive pass-rush,” Palacios wrote on June 13. “The team came close to pairing Maxx Crosby with Trey Hendrickson, and with that, the Ravens could look for one more superstar to pair with Hendrickson. Why not have Brooks join Baltimore? New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter is still the same defensive mindset wizard he was with the Chargers, and this would polish the entire LB unit in Baltimore. The team also drafted Zion Young to develop as a capable starter, but Tavius Robinson and Teddye Buchanan are slated to be the starters come Week 1.”
The Ravens may not be alone. The Dallas Cowboys have also been identified as a logical landing spot as they continue rebuilding key areas of their defense for 2026.
What insiders are saying about the trade rumors
Interest around Brooks has grown rapidly in recent weeks. Fox Sports reporter Greg Auman recently ranked him as the NFL's top trade candidate entering the final stretch before training camp.
Meanwhile, Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport believes acquiring Brooks would require a meaningful investment. His projected compensation includes a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fourth-round selection, reflecting the linebacker's value after a breakout season.
Brooks led the NFL with 183 total tackles and 99 solo tackles in 2025 while earning first-team All-Pro recognition for the first time in his career.
Contract details and salary cap implications
Any acquiring team would gain a productive veteran without committing to a long-term contract immediately. Brooks is entering the final season of his deal, giving interested clubs flexibility to evaluate him before discussing an extension.
There are no major long-term financial obstacles attached to the contract, which could increase his attractiveness in trade talks. For Baltimore, however, pairing Brooks with Smith would require careful cap planning given the resources already committed to the linebacker position.
The expiring contract also gives Miami leverage. The Dolphins can either move Brooks for future assets or retain him for one more season before reassessing his future.
How the trade could impact both teams
For Baltimore, the addition would strengthen a Super Bowl-ready defense. Brooks is versatile enough to be effective against the run and in coverage, which would allow the Ravens to mix and match their linebackers and take some pressure off the young guys expected to play bigger roles. His durability is another plus; Brooks has missed only two regular season games since 2021 and has not missed a game since 2023.
Dealing Brooks could also show that Miami is looking more to the future in terms of roster construction. Draft capital would provide flexibility and create openings for younger defenders.
Brooks' reputation extends beyond tackling numbers. As ESPN's Ben Solak wrote in 2025, “A smooth coverage linebacker with great instincts and field sense, Brooks is one of the few linebackers in the league who can truly be trusted to carry a tight end down the field, or drop into the intermediate middle and not get bamboozled by route combinations or quarterbacks' eye fakes. Coverage linebackers in their athletic prime are rare and impactful players.”
