MIAMI Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler has become one of the greatest success stories in the NFL.
Sieler went from being cut in just his second NFL season to becoming one of the best players at his position.
The Miami Dolphins have signed Zach Sieler to a new contract extension[/caption]
Sieler went from being cut by the Baltimore Ravens to one of the highest paid at his position[/caption]
Sieler entered the NFL via a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
It was the Baltimore Ravens who originally rostered him, but he was waived after playing just six games for the team.
The Dolphins signed Sieler in 2019 after he was waived, and he immediately became an impact player on their defense.
Sieler signed a three-year, $30 million extension in the summer of 2023, but going into the 2025 season he was grossly underpaid.
He was the 29th-highest-paid defensive tackle in terms of annual value in the NFL.
The Dolphins remedied that by signing Sieler to a new three-year extension on Sunday.
According to ESPN, Sieler signed a three-year deal worth up to $67.75 million, with $44 million guaranteed.
The $22.5 million AAV more than doubled the previous amount he was earning.
Sieler is now the eighth-highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL.
He didn’t participate in Dolphins voluntary OTAs during contract negotiations, but was present at mandatory minicamp and training camp.
Sieler is a team captain, and said it was just as important for him to be on the field with his teammates as it was to get a new contract.
“Everyone’s their own human. They can handle things how they want,” Sieler said last month.
“This is how I choose to handle it, but I hope the message that puts out there is that, at end of the day, we’re here to play football.
“Now obviously that stuff’s very important to me — the respect and the money that my family gets and makes from this game.
“We give it all on the line every single day, and I’m going to continue to do that every day.
Zach Sieler career timeline
2013: Joined Ferris State Bulldogs college football team as a walk-on
2016: Won GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year and National Defensive Player of the Year for the second time
2018: Drafted with the No. 238 pick by the Baltimore Ravens
2019: Waived by Ravens and signed by the Miami Dolphins
2023: Signed three-year, $30 million contract extension with the Dolphins
2025: Signed new three-year, $67.75 million contract extension with Dolphins
“But 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.”
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel commended Sieler for continuing to show up even while negotiating.
“I think you define yourself by your actions, most of all in life,” McDaniel said in July.
“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.
“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.”
