Miami Dolphins WR Braxton Berrios On Why He Returned To South Florida Following His Release From The New York Jets
Braxton Berrios is happy to be back home. The Miami Hurricanes alum has been back in the South Florida area since last offseason, initially signing a deal with the Miami Dolphins shortly after an abrupt release from the New York Jets — a release that Berrios was caught off guard by.
“I didn’t (expect it),” says Berrios in an exclusive interview while working out in Miami. “But this is part of the business — you learn not to have so many expectations — as sad as that is — and you have a loyalty to the team you’re with and sometimes they serve that and sometimes they don’t. They have to do what they think is best for them. I can’t say I necessarily saw it (the move coming), but obviously it worked out and it was meant to happen.”
The release came just a year after Berrios had been named a First-team All-Pro selection as a returner and following his two-year, $12 million contract signing. The two sides parted ways after failing to come to an agreement on a restructure, but also largely due to the Jets looking to save salary cap space — they saved $5 million by releasing Berrios — and because the dynamic special teams player’s performance declined in 2022, with his kick return average declining from 30.4 yards to 23.1 yards and his punt return average declining from 13.4 yards to 11.4 yards.
The move — coming shortly after the All-Pro selection and Berrios’ first big NFL contract signing — is an example of how “cutthroat” the business can be and how the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately?” league.
“The longer you stay in the game, stay in this league at this level, how much of it is business,” says Berrios. “It’s not football-based anymore, it’s a business. And that’s all it is. You have to accept it for what it is and not lose love for the game along the way.”
While the release from the Jets obviously took Berrios by surprise, it also gave him an opportunity to return home. Not only did Berrios star at the University of Miami as a receiver and returner, his father is from Homestead, which is less than an hour from Miami.
The Raleigh, North Carolina native also grew up a Hurricanes and Dolphins fan. That connection and familiarity with the Miami area is a large reason why Berrios decided to play for the Hurricanes over college powerhouse teams such as Ohio State, Clemson and Oregon.
Berrios also mentions that the Dolphins had previously shown interest in him during the 2022 offseason before he re-signed with the Jets.
“The whole side of my dad’s family is from here (Miami area),” explains Berrios. “You can imagine when I was drafted to New England, my dad was very happy. But he was like, ‘Oh, gotta root against my Dolphins.’ And then going to the Jets and having my family root against the Dolphins. When I signed with Miami, it’s kind of a full circle moment. And this is home for me.”
Berrios will return for a second season in Miami after re-signing with the Dolphins for another year. His decision to return comes after serving as not only the team’s primary punt and kick returner, but also as their slot receiver. The 29-year-old veteran posted 27 receptions for 238 receiving yards and one touchdown while appearing in a career-high 44% of the offensive snaps.
While Berrios will likely serve as the Dolphins’ primary returner — especially with the new kickoff rules going into place this season — he’ll likely see a decline in playing time on offense this season with the addition of three-time Pro Bowl receiver Odell Beckham Jr. The former All-Pro receiver will likely be one of Miami’s three primary receiving weapons, alongside star wideouts, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Berrios says Beckham is a “great guy” and he’s “looking forward” to playing alongside the Super Bowl champion receiver.
“He’s been awesome,” Berrios says after meeting Beckham. “Seems like a great guy. Obviously, this football world is small. I have a lot of friends that know him and have said the same. I’m looking forward to it (playing with him). Any position across the board, we need as much help as we can get. I think it was a great pickup and I’m excited.”
The addition of Beckham — who played a similar role with the Baltimore Ravens last season — will undoubtedly improve Miami’s receiving core and make life easier for Tua Tagovailoa. However, Berrios still aims to have an increased role at receiver.
“Absolutely,” says Berrios of wanting an increased role as a receiver. “I was a starting slot last season and that was tough to earn. And it’s going to be tough to earn again. Honestly, I’m looking forward to that challenge.”
Berrios will obviously have his eyes set on retaining the slot receiver role — in addition to his returner duties — entering next season for Miami. And while he’s a competitor, he does admit enjoying playing alongside arguably the NFL’s best receiving duo in Hill and Waddle.
“I think that’s one of the best things about our room, it’s like a huge information transfer,” Berrios says. “We’ll watch film and Tyreek’s doing something or Jaylen’s doing something. That’s the best thing — iron sharpens iron. Nobody moves like Tyreek. He’s the fastest person in the world to me. Watching them day in and day out, seeing how they work and how they operate has been tremendous for me in my game, and in the room as a whole side of things.”
