Showing once again that it’s better to be an A-level kicker than a B-level runner, the Dolphins have signed punter Brandon Fields to a four-year, $13.3 million contract extension.
The deal makes Fields the fifth-highest paid punter in the league, his agent told the Miami Herald, and it gives him $3.3 million guaranteed. Fields was set to make a base salary of $1.4 million this season on his previous contract.
Fields will make more per year than running backs like BenJarvus Green-Ellis ($3 million), Peyton Hillis ($2.6 million), and Mike Tolbert ($2.5 million), and several placekickers have signed contracts this offseason that average more money a year than those running backs as well.
Fields has spent his entire five-year career with the Dolphins. Last season he had career highs in punts (78), yards (3,810), average (48.8), net average (41.1) and punts inside the 20 (32). This year the Dolphins will hope he continues to punt so well, but that they don’t have to rely on him quite as often.