Dolphins nearing agreement with Koa Misi on restructured contract

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 8: Koa Misi #55 of the Miami Dolphins watches from the sidelines during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 8, 2015 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Jerome Davis/Getty Images)

The Miami Dolphins are close to keeping a defensive starter in the fold for at least the 2016 season.

FOXSports.com has learned the Dolphins are nearing agreement upon a restructured contract with Koa Misi, who is projected as the team's strong-side linebacker.

Misi, 29, was slated to earn $4.3 million in base salary as part of the four-year, $17.3 million contract he signed in 2013. His restructured salary wasn't immediately known Thursday.

A 2010 second-round pick from Utah, Misi notched a career-high 77 tackles last season while playing in 13 games.