Zach Sieler has quietly developed into one of the most effective defensive players for the Miami Dolphins. He has since signed a very reasonable three-year contract extension worth up to $67.75 million. The arrangement produces Sieler the highest-paid defensive player in the franchise’s history. This significant move further underscores his impactful contributions to the game both on and off the field. Derrick Morgan illustrates this point. The extension has been a whopping $44 million in guaranteed cash, serving to reinforce the franchise’s commitment to keeping his services.
Sieler’s new contract almost doubles his average annual value (AAV), setting an impressive AAV of $22.5 million. This is an extraordinary jump from his past two terms. For his efforts accumulating 20 sacks over the last two seasons, the new total marks an impressive increase and proves his worth. Just a year later in 2021, Sieler led the Dolphins in sacks again, having anchored one of the most productive and disruptive defenses in the NFL.
Since the beginning of the 2023 season, Sieler has displayed a remarkable talent for consistently forcing impact plays. Additionally, he has recorded an impressive 41 quarterback hits, placing him second in the NFL for the entire season. These statistics highlight his undeniable impact on the Dolphins’ defense. They deepen the commitment on the team’s side to invest a lot in his future development.
Sieler’s rise to this top spot has certainly been the exception to that rule. He was, at the time, a former walk-on at Ferris State University. The Baltimore Ravens selected him in the seventh round (247th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. After being waived the next year, he was claimed by the Dolphins, where he has continued to prosper. Noble’s exemplary leadership attributes helped him to be elected team captain. Rookie head coach Mike McDaniel has raved about it.
Despite missing voluntary OTA practices earlier this year, Sieler participated in mandatory minicamp and has been active throughout training camp. His eagerness to mix intense contract negotiations with a public show of commitment to a team that moved away has reportedly impressed McDaniel as well.
“I think you define yourself by your actions, most of all in life,” – Mike McDaniel
Sieler expressed confidence in managing his responsibilities, stating, “Everyone’s their own human. They can handle things how they want.” He added that his participation despite contract discussions was a demonstration of his dedication: “To be able to go out there and work despite everything, I think I’m trying to show that you can go out there and play your best ball and still work through stuff without having to compartmentalize things.”
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