The Miami Dolphins announced on Mar. 12 that they have re-signed defensive lineman Matthew Butler, inside linebacker Willie Gay Jr., and kicker Riley Patterson.
The decision to retain these three players comes as the team looks to maintain stability and experience across key positions for the upcoming season.
Butler has played in 27 career games with two starts over four seasons with Las Vegas and Miami, recording a total of 27 tackles and half a sack. Last season, he appeared in 12 games for the Dolphins, making one start and totaling 12 tackles. Butler was originally selected by Las Vegas in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft after playing at Tennessee.
Gay Jr. brings significant experience to the linebacker position, having appeared in 89 career games with 57 starts over six seasons with Kansas City, New Orleans, and Miami. He has recorded 271 tackles, nine sacks, four interceptions—including one returned for a touchdown—and participated in nine postseason games. Gay Jr. won two Super Bowls with Kansas City before joining Miami last season where he played all 17 games.
Patterson has served as a kicker for several teams over five seasons, including Detroit, Jacksonville, Cleveland, the New York Jets, Atlanta, and Miami. He has converted nearly 87 percent of his field goal attempts during his career and set a new franchise single-season record for field goal percentage last year with Miami by converting more than 93 percent of his attempts.
The re-signings reflect the Dolphins’ focus on continuity as they prepare for future competitions.
