Zach Sieler, a defensive tackle for the Dolphins, is about to experience something that hasn’t happened to this team since 2007.
With back-to-back 10-sack seasons under his belt, Sieler has the potential to record a third straight season with ten or more sacks, which would tie the record set by Hall of Famer Jason Taylor from 2005 to 2007.
Sieler must first iron out the specifics of a contract extension, though.
Sieler must be compensated by the Dolphins. He is a vital member of staff. His contract has been outplayed. He merits a raise.
How much ought he to receive? How many years, too? It’s difficult to say.
Sieler agreed to a three-year, $30.75 million contract deal with the Dolphins in 2023.
Chris Jones of Kansas City is the highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL in 2025, with an average yearly contract worth of $31.8 million, according to Sporac.com. Dalvin Tomlinson of Arizona, who is valued at $14.5 million, is ranked as the 20th defensive tackle on that list.
At $10.25 million, Sieler, an eighth-year player who will be 30 in September, is now ranked 29th.
However, the Dolphins must decide whether they want to spend, say, $15 or $16 million a season on a Sieler who is 31 or 32 years old.
Anticipate a hold-in if he does not have a contract extension when training camp begins later this month. In contrast to a holdout, which occurs when a player does not show up at all, that occurs when a player shows up but declines to take part in practice.
For the past two seasons, Sieler has been the Dolphins’ most reliable defensive playmaker.
In 2023, the team lost to Tennessee 28-27, and he scored a 5-yard touchdown on a pick 6. In 2022, he also recovered a fumble to score a 5-yard touchdown in the 34-31 playoff loss to Buffalo.
He had a key role in the league’s 2024 No. 9 rushing defense and 2023 No. 7 rushing defense.
In addition, he helped the Dolphins set a franchise mark of 56 sacks in 2023, and his 10 sacks were second on the team behind edge rusher Bradley Chubb’s 11 sacks.
However, Sieler, the team MVP from the previous year, presents an intriguing conundrum.
This isn’t the case with tight end Jonnu Smith, who was dealt to Pittsburgh on Monday after the Dolphins were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract. Smith was expected to be the fourth offensive option, after running back De Von Achane and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Right now, Sieler is the defense’s most crucial player.
Instead of recovering from a season-ending injury like edge rushers Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, Sieler is healthy. In contrast to recently acquired Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, he has been here for years.
However, Sieler faces a similar predicament to Smith’s: approaching thirty years of age.
The Dolphins are going through a transition. Their goal is to win over young people and draftees. Sieler is neither a draftee, nor is he young.
But he’s really good.
He will probably be the captain of the team.
He will undoubtedly lead the team.
The money lavishly distributed to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Hill, Waddle, and CB Jalen Ramsey in 2024 would be greater than Sieler’s contract extension.After the 2023 Dolphins’ 11-6 season, they were compensated while intoxicated with joy.
The payment for Sieler’s contract extension would be made sensibly and responsibly.
The Dolphins’ ability to compensate their returning players will be put to the test once more in this scenario. It won’t happen, according to recent former standouts like safety Jevon Holland, guard Robert Hunt, and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. They left for higher salaries.
Phillips, who is playing this season on his fifth-year option, and Achane, who is on the third year of a four-year contract, will be closely monitoring Sieler’s situation. At the end of the season, they will most likely ask for extensions.
In a sense, Sieler is competing with Achane and Phillips for the paycheck. Sieler is a client of agent Drew Rosenhaus, just like Smith, therefore it makes sense for him to be at the front of the queue.
Unlike Smith, Sieler avoided fines of over $100,000 by reporting to required minicamp. But in roughly three weeks, there will be another possible test.
Practice begins on July 23 after veterans come to training camp on July 22.
Anticipate a hold-in if Sieler doesn’t have a new contract by then.
