Kelly: Zach Sieler on a possible pay raise: ‘I know I’ve earned it’ | Opinion
Zach Sieler has a closet full of flannel shirts.
His style can best be described as country chic meets construction worker, with a side of outdoorsmen.
But it’s just not a look.
That’s Sieler’s day-in, day-out mentality to life, and the world.
Since joining the Miami Dolphins he has gained a first-guy-in, last-guy-out reputation because of his lunch pail-like work ethic.
From Sieler’s standpoint, there’s nothing better than putting in a hard day of work, and that’s the approach he has taken to his career as an NFL defensive lineman the past eight seasons.
That’s why Sieler is working instead of watching the first week of training camp with the Dolphins despite him and his camp’s pursuit of a new contract, one that would provide him a substantial raise from the $7.8 million he’s slated to make this season if he plays all 17 games.
Sieler has the potential to earn another $1.25 million in bonuses based on playing time and sacks produced.
That might seem like plenty, but it isn’t when he’s compared to his peers. There are currently 18 NFL defensive linemen who earn more than that $16 million in one season. And there aren’t 18 defensive linemen better than Sieler, who has produced 10-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024.
Plenty of players in his situation might be engaged in a hold-in, aimed at forcing the Dolphins to address his contract, which makes Sieler one of the biggest bargains in the NFL.
But right or wrong, that’s not how Sieler intends to do business.
“Right now I’m out there with these guys. I’m going to keep being out there with these guys and we’re going to keep growing as a unit,” said Sieler, who lived in a mobile home he hitched to the back of his pickup truck in his first two seasons with the Dolphins.
“You can’t build a relationship out of thin air. Nothing beats spending time with these guys, working with them day in and day out,” said Sieler, a former Ferris State standout who has also amassed 24 tackles for loss, 41 quarterback hits and 118 tackles the past two seasons.
While Sieler wouldn’t commit to participating every day, every week of training camp during his Thursday chat with the media, he acknowledged his focus as a team leader, a captain is to set a standard for the young defensive linemen in his room, particularly the three Miami drafted this year.
“Everyone’s decision is their own path, their journey,” Sieler said when discussing the business of the NFL, which at times gets complicated.
“End of the day, I’m going to be me,” Sieler stressed. “It’s what’s gotten me here to this point, what’s gotten me here so far and that’s what I’m going to do every day.”
We can only assume the Dolphins have made a reasonable offer to address Sieler’s contract gripe, which centers on him being ranked 32nd at $10.25 million a season when it comes to average salary for defensive tackles based on contract values.
An extension could actually help the Dolphins create some cap space if it came with a substantial signing bonus. But the Dolphins are likely dragging their feet because Sieler turns 30 this year, and that’s the age where NFL teams start asking players to take a discount.
The Dolphins have given Sieler early extensions twice already. But if we’re going to be honest, both deals were extremely team-friendly and Sieler outperformed them.
Up to this point Sieler has made $26.3 million playing professional football according to overthecap.com, and he’s on the books to make another $16 million the next two seasons. But none of that money is guaranteed, and proven veterans — if not stars — rarely ever play the upcoming season without guaranteed money on their deal.
But how much will Seiler force the issue with the Dolphins?
“We have more than we’ve ever imagined. I’m beyond blessed these last seven years alone. My wife and I love how our life has turned out. It has been awesome,” Seiler said.
Being thankful is one thing. But what about being properly compensated?
“I do feel like I want to get,” Sieler said, stopping himself briefly before changing his statement. “I do feel that respect coming. I think I’ve earned it. I know I’ve earned it.”
