Dolphins key defensive cog seeking new contract

Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler is set to earn an affordable $2.5M this upcoming season, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that he’s looking for a raise. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, “it’s no secret” that Sieler is seeking a new contract.

Back in 2020, Sieler inked a three-year extension with Miami that will last through the 2023 campaign. At the time, the defensive lineman didn’t have much of a track record. In the two years after being selected in the seventh round, he got into nine games with the Ravens and Dolphins. He inked the extension only a few months into his first full season in Miami, and he’s more than outperformed that pact since that time.

Over the past three seasons, Sieler hasn’t missed a game for the Dolphins, starting 32 of his 50 appearances. Over that span, the 27-year-old has compiled nine sacks, 24 tackles for loss and 26 QB hits. This past season, he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 21 interior defender (among 127 qualifying players), with the site giving him particularly high grades for his run defense.

Sieler was absent from optional OTAs but ended up showing up for this week’s mandatory minicamp. While Sieler and agent Drew Rosenhaus could have played hard ball with the Dolphins, there’s a chance they bide their time while the organization focuses on more urgent matters.

As Jackson notes, the Dolphins may have to make some tough decisions when it comes to re-signing Sieler. The front office has been negotiating with Christian Wilkins’ camp for weeks, and that final number will ultimately cut into the cash available for the rest of the defensive line. Wilkins is set to earn $10.7M in 2023.