Chris Perkins: Dolphins' Zach Sieler deserves new contract, but how much and how long?

Chris Perkins, South Florida Sun Sentinel on Jul 5, 2025

Published in Football

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Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler stands on the threshold of something this franchise hasn’t seen since 2007.

Sieler, who has back-to-back 10-sack seasons, could record a third consecutive double-digit sack season, matching the streak established by Hall of Famer Jason Taylor from 2005-07.

But first, Sieler has to work out details of a contract extension.

The Dolphins need to pay Sieler. He’s essential personnel. He’s outplayed his contract. He deserves a raise.

How much should he get? And how many years? That’s tough to say.

In 2023, Sieler signed a three-year, $30.75 million extension with the Dolphins.

The NFL’s top-paid defensive tackle in 2025, by average annual contract value according to Spotrac.com, is Kansas City’s Chris Jones at $31.8 million. The No. 20 defensive tackle on that list is Arizona’s Dalvin Tomlinson at $14.5 million.

Sieler, an eighth-year player who turns 30 in September, currently ranks 29th at $10.25 million.

But the Dolphins have to ask themselves if they want to pay a 31- or 32-year Sieler, say, $15 or $16 million a season.

If he doesn’t have a contract extension when training camp opens later this month, expect a hold-in. That’s when a player shows up but refuses to participate in practice, as opposed to a hold out, when a player doesn’t show up at all.

Sieler has been the Dolphins’ most consistent defensive playmaker of the past two years.

He scored a 5-yard touchdown on a pick 6 in the 28-27 loss to Tennessee in 2023. He also scored a 5-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery in the 34-31 playoff loss at Buffalo in 2022.

He was a foundational piece of the league’s No. 9 rushing defense in 2024 and No. 7 rushing defense in 2023.

Additionally, his 10 sacks in 2023 were second on the team behind edge rusher Bradley Chubb’s 11 sacks, and helped the Dolphins establish a franchise-record 56 sacks.

But Sieler, last year’s team MVP, poses an interesting dilemma.

This isn’t a situation such as tight end Jonnu Smith, who was traded to Pittsburgh on Monday after he couldn’t agree on a new contract with the Dolphins. Smith figured to be the No. 4 offensive option behind wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane.

Sieler, at this point, is the most important player on the defense.

Sieler is healthy, meaning he’s not coming off a season-ending injury, such as edge rushers Chubb and Jaelan Phillips. And he’s been here for years, unlike newly acquired Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

However, Sieler shares a dilemma similar to Smith’s, and that’s reaching 30 years old soon.

The Dolphins are in a new phase. They’re trying to win with youth and draftees. Sieler is neither youthful nor a draftee.

But he’s damn good.

He’ll likely be a team captain.

He’ll certainly be a team leader.

Sieler’s contract extension wouldn’t be the same as the money wildly given out in 2024 to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Hill, Waddle and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. They were paid when the Dolphins were drunk with happiness after their 11-6 season in 2023.

Sieler’s contract extension would be paid in a prudent, sober fashion.

This situation is another test for whether the Dolphins pay their returning players. Recent ex-standouts such as defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, guard Robert Hunt and safety Jevon Holland might say it won’t happen. They departed for bigger paydays.

Sieler’s situation will be eyed closely by Achane, who is in the third year of a four-year deal, and Phillips, who is playing this season on his fifth-year option. They’ll probably seek extensions at season’s end.

Sieler, in a way, is in a race for the payday against Achane and Phillips. That’s why Sieler, who, such as Smith, is a client of agent Drew Rosenhaus, is wise to put himself at the head of the line.

Sieler, unlike Smith, reported to mandatory minicamp, avoiding more than $100,000 in fines. But another potential test comes in about three weeks.

Veterans report to training camp on July 22, and practice starts July 23.

If Sieler doesn’t have a new deal by then, expect a hold-in.

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