Jordyn Brooks Prepares for Dolphins’ Historic Game in Spain

Madrid, Spain — Middle linebacker Jordyn Brooks has emerged as a key player for the Miami Dolphins‘ defense this season, leading the NFL with 105 tackles. As the Dolphins prepare to face the Washington Commanders at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, this game marks a reunion between Brooks and Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner, his former teammate with the Seattle Seahawks.

Brooks, now in his second year with the Dolphins, has embraced his role as one of the team’s six captains. ‘I learned a lot just kind of observing him,’ Brooks said Thursday in Madrid, reflecting on his time with Wagner. ‘Watching how he prepares for a game. Kind of just how he holds himself as a man, I learned a lot from him, honestly.’

Wagner, a six-time All-Pro, was with Brooks during his rookie season in Seattle, where he was drafted 27th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Now in his 14th season, Wagner has started every game this year and is only six tackles behind Brooks for the league lead.

Despite the Dolphins’ rocky start to the season, winning two of their last three games, the team is still four games under .500. Brooks has taken on a leadership role not just on the field, but off it as well. Running back De’Von Achane shared that Brooks removed a Pop-a-Shot from the team’s locker room in response to their 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9. When asked about the incident, Brooks replied with ‘no comment.’

Brooks also played in the first NFL game hosted in Germany last year, leading the Seahawks with 16 tackles in that matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As he gears up for the international game in Spain, he is focusing more on preparation than sightseeing.

‘It’s been an adjustment just with the time shift and all that,’ Brooks said. ‘It was hard to sleep on the plane, so the last couple of days have really just been trying to get rest whenever you can, honestly.’ He added, ‘The Dolphins provided that, so I’ve been trying to take advantage of all that, just keeping the body ready.’

On Sunday, Spain will become the sixth country to host an NFL international game. Brooks admitted, ‘The most I know about Real Madrid is playing the soccer game FIFA. I play with Real Madrid a lot, and so that’s the most that I know, honestly.’