Despite the Dolphins’ ongoing struggles up front, one member got a subtle nod as a candidate for the league’s newest award
Fact: Miami’s offensive line continues to have its frustrating moments. Also fact: Aaron Brewer is him.
Whenever there’s a conversation around the Miami Dolphins and their offensive line, gripes and complaints are generally quick to follow. The Dolphins have been battling a frustrating stretch of underwhelming play and/or injuries for over a decade along the offensive front — it’s a far cry from the standard for an organization that has sent several “big uglies” up front to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
We don’t really know what the Dolphins actually have for their offensive line in 2025 because 40% of the starting unit has been out since Week 1. Miami got some good news on that front on Wednesday with the development that starting right tackle Austin Jackson had his 21-day activation window from injured reserve open. But one thing that we do know? Dolphins center Aaron Brewer is playing at an elite level — even despite some of the struggles and inconsistencies of the unit as a whole.
And now, Brewer’s recognition seems to be leveling up. He got a nod on Wednesday for his candidacy for the NFL’s newest award, the ‘Protector of the Year’.
Dolphins center Aaron Brewer gets a subtle nod from the league operations for his candidacy for new offensive line award
“Dolphins center Aaron Brewer continued his dominant run of form in Week 10 against the Bills, allowing no run stuffs for the sixth consecutive game.”
— NFL Football Operations on Aaron Brewer’s play this season
Since arriving in Miami ahead of the 2024 season, Brewer has been sensational. He signed a three-year contract after spending the first four seasons of his NFL career pin-balling around positions on the interior in Tennessee, but he’s truly found a home in Miami in this offensive scheme. Brewer doesn’t win with raw power but he’s got elite quickness and leverage thanks to his compact build and the Dolphins do an excellent job using him as a space weapon to help spring plays on the perimeter that most interior lineman could only dream of.
Aaron Brewer’s Miami Dolphins career thus far
- Signed three-year, $21 million contract with Miami in March of 2024
- Has logged 1,713 offensive snaps since 2024 (100% of possible reps)
- Has allowed 2 total sacks (0 through 10 games in 2025)
- Has conceded an average of less than one pressure allowed per game (22 in 27 games)
It would be considered a major upset for Brewer to win the league’s first “Protector of the Year” award — but Brewer is absolutely carving out a handsome next contract and a long-term future at center. That may come from Miami or from someone else, depending on the determination of the team’s pending decision at general manager and the lingering job status of head coach Mike McDaniel.
The good news for Miami is that Brewer will be under contract in 2026 no matter what to help buy some time to determine the right play. But with the level he’s played at and, on top of that, the difficulties the Dolphins have endured to build a proper offensive line across the board, it’s hard to envision a world where not keeping Brewer in the mix seems like the right play.
He’s been sensational. Even if he doesn’t win Protector of the Year.
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