Linebacker K.J. Britt joins the Miami Dolphins after a four-season stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing with him a solid reputation as a run-stopper. On Monday, the former Auburn standout shared with reporters that his dedication to stopping the run started long before his NFL career.
“I’ve been playing linebacker since I was 5, all the way through high school, college, and now the NFL,” Britt explained. “Growing up in Alabama, where we played in a tough, run-heavy league, stopping the run was always a key focus for my coaches.”
Britt credited his love for football and strong work ethic for his success, acknowledging the influence of other great linebackers who push him to improve. “If you’re good at something, there’s always room to get better,” he said. “That’s part of my pedigree.”
Britt’s passion for physical play comes from his upbringing, especially under the guidance of his father, Kenney Britt, who also coached him in little league. “You’ve got to want to play physically,” Britt said. “My dad always preached that hitting someone hard sets the tone for the game. It’s a message we carry with us.”
After an injury-plagued senior season, Britt was drafted by the Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In Tampa Bay, he played primarily on special teams during his first three seasons, earning a team-high 815 special teams snaps by the end of his third year. He was used sparingly on defense until injuries to Lavonte David and Devin White gave him an opportunity to start in the final stretch of the 2023 season, including both playoff games.
In 2024, with White departing for the Eagles, Britt moved into a starting role alongside David, starting the first 11 games of the season before an ankle injury sidelined him. He finished the year with 72 tackles.
Britt, who has made the playoffs every year of his career, brings valuable postseason experience to Miami. “A playoff-caliber team is player-driven,” he said. “It’s all about the players coming together as one and staying focused week after week. There’s no room for individual egos; everyone has to do their part.”
As he joins the Dolphins, Britt looks forward to the familiar defensive schemes, having played in similar systems during his time in Tampa Bay. “The transition to Miami’s defense will be smooth,” he said. “It’s similar to what I’ve done before, just different terminology, so I’m excited to get to work.”