The Miami Dolphins have secured Zach Sieler with a contract making him the highest-paid defensive player on the team. On Sunday afternoon, the Dolphins agreed to a three-year, $67.75 million contract extension with the defensive tackle, according to his agents. Currently earning $22.5 million per season, this new deal more than doubles his previous salary and includes $44 million in guarantees.
Sieler, who started as a walk-on at Division II Ferris State, was picked in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. After being released a year later, the Dolphins signed him off waivers during the 2019 season, and he has been with the team since.
At 29 years old and a team captain, Sieler has notably improved over the last two seasons, averaging 59 tackles and posting back-to-back seasons with 10 sacks, a team best. Before the 2023 season, his highest sack total in one season was 3.5.
Prior to the 2023 season, Sieler signed a three-year, $30.75 million contract extension that was supposed to keep him until 2027. Dolphin defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver described Sieler as “the heartbeat of our defense” in an interview with the Palm Beach Post.
The Dolphins finished last season with an 8-9 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Despite this, the franchise has not won a playoff game since 2000. Their next season begins on September 7th against the Indianapolis Colts.
Fan Take: This contract highlights the Dolphins’ commitment to building a strong defense around a proven leader, Zach Sieler. For NFL fans, it signals a potential shift in the team’s competitiveness and could spark more intense defensive play in upcoming seasons league-wide.
