Willie Gay Jr. on choosing Miami Dolphins in free agency: ‘If I’m being honest, Miami chose me’

The Miami Dolphins signed linebacker Willie Gay Jr. this offseason to a one-year deal.

The two-time Super Bowl champion recently shared that the Dolphins “chose me” and that he’s “thankful to be a part of it.”

A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Gay began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, playing with the franchise for four seasons.

With the Chiefs, Gay won Super Bowls in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He was an important piece during those two championship runs, starting six playoff games and recording 18 tackles, three tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.

Overall, Gay has 29 tackles in nine career playoff games to go along with a forced fumble and three passes defended.

Following his four-year tenure with the Chiefs, Gay spent the 2024 season with the New Orleans Saints.

He appeared in 15 games last season and made eight starts for a Saints team that missed the playoffs in the NFC. Gay recorded 28 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, three passes defended, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries with the Saints. It was actually a bit of a down year for him overall.

For his regular-season career, Gay has played in 72 games and averages 62 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.7 sacks per 17 games.

By adding Gay, the Dolphins are bringing in a linebacker with a ton of playoff experience who should help defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s unit.

Miami failed to make the playoffs in the 2024 season, but it is hoping to turn things around after making the postseason in each of head coach Mike McDaniel’s first two seasons at the helm.

Gay also spent time playing alongside wide receiver Tyreek Hill during his Chiefs tenure, so he’ll have a familiar face in the building in Miami. Hill is coming off a down season for the Dolphins, as he failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark through the air.

Dolphins fans should be excited that Gay seems so grateful to be joining the franchise, and hopefully he’ll be able to make an impact in the 2025 season that could make him a key piece of the defense beyond his one-year deal.