‘Gonna make a great jump this year’ — Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer sees a big 2026 ahead for one of the team’s most important young pieces
The Miami Dolphins’ quickest path to success lies with a winning group along the offensive line. Aaron Brewer sees someone making a big leap up front.
The Miami Dolphins‘ 2026 build is going to take some time to gel. But for several key pieces on the roster, their maturation process actually started last year.
One such player in particular, second-year guard Jonah Savaiinaea, is facing a major test this season. The regime and coaching staff in place did not pick him. Savaiinaea struggled at times as a rookie in 2025. And now, he’s changing positions to go back to the right side of the line. It’s a big year for the big man. But his fellow starting lineman, Aaron Brewer sees something else in 2026, too. A big leap in play for the Miami Dolphins.
Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer sees ‘a great jump’ in 2026 for Jonah Savaiinaea
“Jonah (Savaiinaea), he didn’t have the best year last year, but if you seen him now or anybody who is around, like you see the development now. And so I’m excited for him. He going back to his spot. He getting probably a little more comfortable where he at. And so I’m excited for him this year and I think he’s gonna make a great jump this year…The amount of work you put in this offseason and your attention to detail and your focus this off season, that’s what’s going to make you for this next year. And it’s so dope that (Jonah) had this past year. So you can have something to work from. Like you have something to build off of.”
— Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer on second-year guard Jonah Savaiianea
First and foremost, this is exactly the kind of confidence in his teammates that you want to hear out of a leader. It’s very apparent that Brewer has seized the mantle of top dog along the offensive line, and not just for his play. Yes, he’s an elite player (don’t let folks tell you otherwise!). But these young guys follow him. No further evidence needed than seeing Savaiinaea, Patrick Paul, and rookie Kadyn Proctor pull up to Brewer’s formal contract signing.
Is he, as a leader, just giving lip service to a young player who needs some extra confidence? Maybe. But, for what it is worth, there’s plenty of non-Aaron Brewer buzz this offseason from folks around the Miami Dolphins about how hard Savaiinaea is working and how much he wants to be good.
Savaiinaea isn’t some grand underdog story. He’s a top-40 pick — physical ability is not a limitation here. So if Savaiinaea worked hard, falls in line with Brewer’s messaging, and learns from his mistakes, he’ll have every opportunity to prove his teammate right in 2026. Such a development could change the game for Miami’s long-term outlook, as it would make three established building blocks on the offensive line. With a 2026 rookie first-rounder in tow.
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