The Miami Dolphins bolstered their tight end group this season by signing journeyman Pharaoh Brown. Known for his blocking ability, Brown will suit up for his eighth NFL team in 2025 with Miami.
The eighth-year tight end was recently asked why he chose to sign with the Dolphins, and his answer might surprise both his fans and Miami’s.
Pharaoh Brown Reveals Why He Signed With the Dolphins
The Dolphins signed Brown to a one-year deal worth up to $1.35 million, including a $20,000 signing bonus and $20,000 guaranteed, according to Spotrac. He fills the void left by Durham Smythe.
Brown played last season on a one-year, $3.2 million deal with Seattle, recording eight receptions on 12 targets for 65 yards in 15 games. He seemingly didn’t have many suitors this offseason, which he hinted at when explaining why he signed with Miami.
“Sometimes beggars can’t be choosers,” he said before bursting into laughter.
Whether he was joking or not, Brown is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s best blocking tight ends. Despite that, he was overlooked in the 2017 NFL Draft and signed with the (then) Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent. He later had a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns before playing for the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts (twice), New England Patriots, and Seahawks.
Over seven NFL seasons, Brown has recorded 72 receptions for 751 yards (10.4 avg.) and three touchdowns while averaging just over 16 snaps per game. He has also made 17 total tackles (13 solo) with four assists.
The 30-year-old had his best season in 2023 with the Patriots, posting 13 receptions for 208 yards and a touchdown. That performance earned him his biggest contract with the Seahawks, whose general manager, John Schneider, praised Brown before signing him.
“Pharaoh, in our opinion, is one of the top two or three blocking tight ends in the National Football League; he brings a nastiness to us. He’s a guy that can take care of the C-gap, he can block down, he’s nasty. He’s going to bring a toughness to our offense. He’s a tempo-setter. He’s a little bit of an old soul that way. He’s going to fight you and not back down, and I think that’s going to rub off on our offensive identity.”
The Dolphins needed a blocking tight end, with Jonnu Smith serving as their top receiving threat. However, Brown will have to compete with Julian Hill, another blocking tight end, for a roster spot.