The Dolphins bolstered their inside linebacker depth on Monday by finalizing deals with former Tennessee Titans linebacker David Long and re-signing linebacker Duke Riley, sources informed the Miami Herald.
Long, aged 27 in October, inked a two-year contract worth $11 million, while Riley also agreed to a two-year deal. Long had a standout season in 2023, tallying a career-best 86 tackles before a hamstring injury sidelined him for the last five games. Drafted in the sixth round in 2019 by the Titans, Long has started 26 games, amassing 230 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in his 50-game career. His impressive run stoppage rate of 6.6% ranked second among qualifying players last season, per NFL’s Next Gen Stats.
With three inside linebackers—Riley, Elandon Roberts, and Sam Eguavoen—becoming unrestricted free agents, the Dolphins sought to fortify their linebacker corps. Long, standing at 5-11 and 225 pounds, joins the Dolphins as their second defensive acquisition under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, following the trade for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Los Angeles Rams.
Long’s signing stands out as a value move in a competitive inside linebacker free-agent market, highlighted by Tremaine Edmunds’ reported $72 million four-year deal with the Chicago Bears and Bobby Okereke’s reported $40 million four-year deal with the New York Giants.
The Dolphins also struck a deal with former New York Jets quarterback Mike White, agreeing on a reported two-year contract worth up to $16 million, according to a league source. However, formalization of these deals awaits the commencement of the new league year at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Riley, originally signed in 2021 on a one-year deal, then re-signed last offseason, has been a standout on special teams and a dependable pass defender. In 2022, he played in all 17 games, securing 45 combined tackles and one sack. Riley’s performance earned praise from linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, who lauded his work ethic and character, underscoring his value to the team.
