In an offseason of change, the Miami Dolphins have made a sizable commitment in a franchise player. Miami made Zach Sieler the team’s highest-paid defensive player, giving him a three-year extension worth up to $67.75 million.
He had two years left on his three-year, $30.75 million contract and now gets $44 million guaranteed on his latest extension.
Sieler struggled to get on the field during the first three seasons of his NFL career, but he’s become a reliable part of a struggling Miami defensive line.
Sieler has now had back-to-back 10-sack seasons, and now he’ll be paid accordingly. Last season, he earned a 78.6 Pro Football Focus grade, making him the 12-highest rated defensive lineman in the league.
There were questions about what his availability would be during training camp, but the 29-year-old veteran showed up for the pre-season program. He missed the voluntary OTA period but was present for mandatory minicamp and training camp.
And when asked about the contract situation, he was confident the team would pay him appropriately.
“I do feel that respect coming and I feel like I’ve earned it; I know I’ve earned it,” Sieler said in late July. “I know I have the best years ahead of me. I didn’t play for three years in the NFL. I only played two and a half in college. So, you really think about it like I got less years under my belt than some rookies do. So, I really feel like my best years are ahead of me, and I have all that knowledge and experience from the last seven years.”
Sieler said he cared about being out on the field with his teammates during the contract discussions, and those around him noticed the decision.
“I’m very aware that all players have a choice in what they do on a day-to-day basis, specifically with Zach, and his actions speak — and I think his teammates very much recognize how Zach Sieler plays football and contributes to the building every day,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said. “And I think Zach has a vision of a team that I share, and he understands as a leader, he’s trying to show guys how he wants teammates to play football, and I’m excited every time I see Zach Sieler.”