Dolphins reach agreement on deal with former Titans LB David Long Jr., re-sign LB Duke Riley

The Dolphins restocked their depth at inside linebacker on Monday, reaching an agreement on a deal with former Tennessee Titans linebacker David Long and re-signing linebacker Duke Riley, league sources told the Miami Herald.

According to reports, Long’s contract is a two-year deal worth $11 million and Riley’s contract is two years.

Long, who turns 27 in October, recorded a career-high 86 tackles this past season before a hamstring injury in December sidelined him for the final five games. A sixth-round pick of the Titans in the 2019 Draft, Long has started 26 games in his career, with 21 coming in the last two seasons. In 50 games, he has recorded 230 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

According to NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Long tackled opposing ball carriers for a loss or no gain on 6.6 percent of his run defense snaps last season, the second-highest run stuff rate for qualifying players.

The Dolphins were in search of a middle linebacker with three players at the position — Riley, Elandon Roberts and Sam Eguavoen — set to become unrestricted free agents. Only two others players, Jerome Baker and Channing Tindall, were under contract for the 2023 season.

Long, 5-11 and 225 pounds, is the second addition to a defense that will be shaped under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The Dolphins on Sunday also reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Rams to trade for All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

The deal for Long represents a value signing in what has been deemed a deep inside linebacker free agent class. The Chicago Bears reportedly reached an agreement with former Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds on a four-year deal worth $72 million. And the New York Giants reportedly agreed to terms with former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke on a four-year deal worth $40 million.

The agreement with Long is the second the Dolphins have reached on the opening day of the legal negotiating window. Miami has also reached an agreement with former New York Jets quarterback Mike White, a league source told the Miami Herald, on a reported two-year deal worth up to $16 million. Deals cannot be finalized until the start of the new league at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

Riley originally signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins in 2021 and then re-signed last offseason. The 28-year-old has been a special teams standout and a reliable pass defender in the last two seasons. In 2022, appeared in all 17 games and made two games, recording 45 combined tackles and one sack. Riley’s 7.6 yards per completion allowed tied for the 13th-best mark among qualifying defenders, according to Pro Football Reference.

“What a great guy to coach. Like unbelievable,” linebackers coach Anthony Campanile said in November. “I think everybody in the locker room loves him. I generally love coaching the guy. He’s just a great human being in general. But that kind of speaks to his work ethic. He’s constantly trying to do extra, this guy. His notes and everything, just down to the very last detail, he’s the type of guy that you want to coach. He’s just kind of gotten better and better every day since he’s been here. I feel that way. I think he feels that way. I think a lot of the guys on the team feel that way. He’s definitely producing for us and doing a great job when he’s out there.”