Dolphins’ Zach Sieler has reason to celebrate the NFL's latest big new contract — even though the actual deal is not his to sign

Dolphins’ Zach Sieler has reason to celebrate the NFL's latest big new contract — even though the actual deal is not his to sign originally appeared on A to Z Sports.

There's a new highly-paid defensive lineman in the NFL this morning. His name is not Zach Sieler, which is a bummer for the Miami Dolphins' standout defender, as he's more than earned a new contract after out-performing the terms of his current deal with the team over the past few seasons. The new contract actually belongs to another Zach — Denver Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen.

But Sieler has plenty to cheer about with this contract even if it isn't his to sign. Because Allen's new contract places him handsomely among the league's best compensated talent at the position and the two have plenty in common from a production standpoint. If and when it's Sieler's turn to land a new contract, the Allen deal should serve as a useful baseline.

Zach Allen's new contract should boost Sieler's outlook in bid for new deal

Allen has agreed to terms on a four-year, $102 million extension to stay with the Broncos, landing him with a $25.5 million annual average salary on the four new years of his deal in Denver. There are some useful parallels between Allen and Sieler that should help provide further clarity on when Sieler's asking price should come in here — including production rushing the passer.

Sieler has a leg up in sacks over the last two seasons, posting 20 total sacks versus 13.5 for Allen. Allen has the edge in pressures over the last two seasons with 135 versus 102 for Sieler, although both are among the very short list of interior defenders to post triple digit pressures on opposing quarterbacks. The only other names who play on the inside with that much production include:

• Chris Jones (149)
• Allen (135)
• Quinnen Williams (124)
• Nnamdi Madubuike (121)
• Leonard Williams (109)
• Ed Oliver (104)
• Osa Odighizuwa (103)
• Sieler (102)
• Jalen Carter (102)
• Kobie Turner (102)
• Dexter Lawrence (101)

Given Sieler's age relative to Allen, the biggest implication may be the guaranteed money. Sieler is essentially two full years older than Allen, so the runway for the $69.5 million in guarantees that Allen has secured as a part of his deal is likely far out in front of where the Dolphins are willing to go with Sieler.

The price point is undeniable, though. Allen, like Sieler, can play up and down the line. Both offer three-down value. Both have been productive pass rushers. And the extension cost is a bargain relative to the open market contract that Milton Williams signed in New England earlier this spring — Williams is a good player but is far less proven and has not been a snap workhorse. Perhaps a Sieler contract is more likely to land at three years versus the four that Allen got. Perhaps the guaranteed money is going to be a bridge too far for the Dolphins.

But whatever asking price Sieler and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have been angling for from the Dolphins, Allen's deal should help provide a high-resolution snapshot of Sieler's fair market value. And the dollars are hefty. Seeing that confirmation with another contract, even if it isn't Sieler's to sign, is cause to celebrate in the big picture bid for a deal.

Related: Dolphins' underrated Zach Sieler will report to training camp but what he does once there will speak volumes in his bid for contract extension

This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Aug 2, 2025, where it first appeared.