Is Dolphins DT Zach Sieler participating in mandatory minicamp?
On a Miami Dolphins team looking for leadership on the first day of mandatory minicamp, defensive tackle and 2024 captain Zach Sieler was in attendance.
Not reporting—and to no shock—was soon-to-be former captain and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Tight end Jonnu Smith didn't report either. Ramsey has requested a trade and Smith is reportedly seeking a reworked contract, but supposedly prefers to stay in Miami.
Sieler however was present and participated in practice to some extent.
'Zach Sieler, he's been in the building every single day during the offseason program. You will see him on the field doing some stuff. The length? Well, you'll just have to hold your breath and see, and you will not see Jonnu on the field today or this week," Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday.
The longest currently tenured Dolphins' defensive player, Sieler has been with Miami since he was claimed off waivers in 2018 from the Baltimore Ravens. A seventh-round pick, Sieler has put together two consecutive outstanding seasons and reports have indicated he too could be in line for contract conversations.
Sieler signed a three-year extension heading into the 2023 season worth $30.75M and is set to earn a 2025 base salary of $7.32M while carrying a cap hit for the Dolphins of $12.48M.
Sieler is the 20th highest-paid defensive tackle in terms of average annual salary entering 2025, yet has done something no other player at his position accomplished last season. Sieler was the only interior defensive lineman with 10-plus sacks in each of the last two seasons. Remarkably with Sieler, his quantum leap in statistical production came after his extension.
Sieler is also one of just two players and the only interior defensive lineman since 2000 to record consecutive seasons with double-digit sacks as well as tackles for loss, to go along with an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The other is 2025 NFL Hall of Fame inductee, Jared Allen.
Having 10 sacks heading into 2025, Sieler is right in the middle of his prime and is truly one of the most under-appreciated players in the NFL. The 2024 Dan Marino MVP voted on by local media, Sieler was second among defensive tackles in sacks last season, one behind the Seattle Seahawks' Leonard Williams.
It's been a decade since a Dolphins player had consecutive 10-plus sacks seasons, the last being 2016-2017 from Cameron Wake. Additionally, he is just one of a pair of Dolphins this century to have 10-plus sacks, an interception, and a fumble recovery in consecutive seasons. The other being Hall of Famer Jason Taylor from 2006-2007.
It is understandable how Sieler, through his agent Drew Rosenhaus, could desire a spike in salary. Sieler was one of just two players in the entire league last season with at least 10 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Sieler joined Denver Broncos Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro Nik Bonitto in that distinction.
If there was anyone on the team who deserves a salary spike, Sieler has already made the case and he is doing right by the team and his teammates by showing up to minicamp.
Sieler's leadership and production are the perfect mentor to a trio of Dolphins defensive tackle rookies, including first-round pick Kenneth Grant. That combination could be a formula too valuable for the Dolphins to let walk out the door. His presence at minicamp is an excellent sign, and if the sides could rework his previous extension, Sieler is the type of foundational player that should be retained.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins' RB Jaylen Wright adds muscle, trims fat
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright seemed trim and fit as a rookie. But he felt he could be better. "Working hard in offseason, working on my body," Wright said during organized team activities. "I probably added about probably six pounds. I lost a lot of body fat. I gained a lot of muscle. That's why it might look like I'm a little bigger." Advertisement Consider that Wright has covered a 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds at 210 pounds. That's a pretty unique combination of size and speed. For Wright, the pathway to more touches in his second season is actually more mental than physical. There were lessons learned as a fourth-round rookie from Tennessee. "I just learned just the league," Wright said. "I mean, just getting the speed of the game, just controlling, you know, controlling what I can control out there on the field, you know, just making the best of my opportunities. I mean, I learned a lot from the guys in front of me." Jaylen Wright poised for Year 2 Miami Dolphins breakout Wright cited Raheem Mostert, De'Von Achane and Jeff Wilson as influencers. Advertisement Wright had 68 carries on the season, but only nine over the last five weeks of the season. "When we had exit meetings, I was talking to Jaylen Wright about being able to non-verbally communicate to me his hunger for an increased role," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. "I see better than I hear, and four OTAs in, I can see him following through with that." Oct 6, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (25) runs the ball during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images Most talented rookie running backs struggle more with executing assignments consistently than any other areas of growth. With Mostert in Las Vegas and Wilson not re-signed, the opportunity for more is present in 2025. With that in mind, Wright had an interesting perspective on thoughts he'd provide to rookie Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II. Advertisement "Oh, it's a process," Wright said. "Just as a rookie, it's not going to come when you want it to come. I mean, it may. It's just a process, you know, just staying patient. It's a long season. I mean, I'm speaking for what I've experienced. It's a long season, and, you know, take care of your body, you know, because you never know when the opportunity is going to come." Tua's Time: Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa awarded for taking top 'ownership' of team Joe Schad: Miami Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle must bounce back from subpar 2024 Top 5 position battles: Miami Dolphins OTA and training camp: Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@ and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins Jaylen Wright reveals rookie lesson learned
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins need a CB and Jaire Alexander cut and suddenly available
MIAMI GARDENS — The Green Bay Packers cut Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander and he would seem perfect for the Miami Dolphins, about to trade Jalen Ramsey. Right? Well, maybe. Ramsey is not expected to report to Dolphins mandatory mini-camp June 10-12 in Miami Gardens, as the team continues to seek a trade. Advertisement Ramsey, 30, is a seven-time Pro Bowler. Alexander, 28, is a two-time Pro Bowler. Jaire Alexander cut by Packers: Fit for Dolphins? Alexander is fast, athletic, attacks the ball, is a willing tackler and makes plays. The problem is he's often injured. Alexander has averaged only 8.5 games plays over the last four seasons, including seven games played in each of the last two seasons. Alexander has had injuries to his: shoulder, groin, quadriceps, back and knee. The Dolphins, generally, now desire to get younger and add fewer injury-prone players. But the Dolphins are desperate at cornerback and so an incentive-laden one- or two-year deal could make some sense. Advertisement Like many high-profile cornerbacks, Alexander's personality has been at times described as: charismatic, outspoken, passionate, emotional, loud and playful. Miami would have to consider how he would fit into the 2025 locker room. Bookmakers cite Dolphins as Jaire Alexander destination According to odds from the Dolphins are the fourth-most likely team to add Alexander. They say the 49ers, Raiders and Rams are the top three choices. Could Alexander's availability affect what Miami receives in a Ramsey deal? Perhaps. Anything in the range of a fourth-rounder or better would seem acceptable for Ramsey, who is an extremely talented lone wolf prone to mood swings. Advertisement Alexander had five interceptions in 16 games in 2022. Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) gestures to the fans before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago on Nov. 17, 2024. The problem is he's hardly played in the three seasons around that campaign. Worth a flier? Stay tuned. Patrick Paul: Miami Dolphins' LT already doing some 'top-tier things.' Miami Dolphins' Top 5 contract values: Zach Sieler, Jonnu Smith top list Jaylen Wright: Miami Dolphins' RB adds muscle, trims fat Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@ and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins Jalen Ramsey staying away; will Jaire Alexander come?
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel: Jonnu Smith trade rumors 'complicated if you allow it to be'
MIAMI GARDENS -- Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel met with reporters before another OTA workout. Highlights: -- On the Jonnu Smith situation, with Smith seeking a raise and the team having held talks, according to reports: "It's complicated if you allow it to be." But McDaniel tries to focus as much as possible on the football side vs. the business side. Advertisement -- McDaniel acknowledges Smith, a tight end, is very important to the offense. Says Smith has been in the facility. -- On if he expects Smith to be on the team this season: "I haven't really considered anything other than I want Jonnu on the team. I think he wants to be here." -- McDaniel says he has been pleased with the turnout for "voluntary" workouts, adding that you wouldn't know by looking over the practice fields that it has been voluntary. -- McDaniel credits RT Austin Jackson with "hearing the label" people attached to him early in his career and working through it, proving people wrong. Advertisement TRADE WINDS? Dolphins trading Jalen Ramsey? Everything you need to know -- On RB Jaylen Wright: Says Wright "benefited tremendously by coming in the league in a crowded room" last year. During exit meetings, McDaniel stressed the need "to communicate non-verbally to me for his hunger for an increased role. ... I can see him following through with that." -- On LT Patrick Paul: Says he sees not just room for growth, but actual growth in Year 2. McDaniel says having retired LT Terron Armstead around during offseason workouts "is a huge accelerator" in Paul's development. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by) -- On where this team is and whether it's rebuilding: "We are trying to maximize our opportunity and we have a good amount of young players that are very, very focused." Advertisement --On if the Dolphins players are getting a lift by watching the success of the Florida Panthers in the NHL playoffs: "Just in general, the elimination games really capture professional athletes. ... I think the Florida Panthers as an organization have done an unbelievable job of creating a situation where 'we've been here before.' ... There's nothing more motivating than watching people who are sacrificing hard-earned monthly income" supporting the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. JOE SCHAD: Mike McDaniel open to changes, including at practice This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel on Jonnu Smith's importance in the offense
