Zach Sieler of the Miami Dolphins has finally gotten the big pay day. And nobody deserves it more.
MIAMI GARDENS ― Zach Sieler, the real deal, was wearing an aqua cowboy hat as his young son was corralled by wife Hannah during his contract extension news conference.
The Miami Dolphins had rewarded Sieler with three more years and $67.75 million.
"How you carry yourself and the character you are every day is what makes you the man you are," Sieler said. "And I think they rewarded that 100 percent."
Yes, the Dolphins did. Because in time when so many athletes are so concerned about how things look, all Sieler worries about is putting in the work.
"Obviously with social media, you can post this, post that, look at me working out, but like, are you really?" Sieler said. "Like, was that one workout this week or were you actually in there in the gym grinding?"
Sieler, 29, has a long story to tell and it has nothing to do with entitlement.
He was given nothing. And earned everything.
From Division II Ferris State.
"Dungeon," Sieler recalled, respectfully. "No windows."
Miami Dolphins' Zach Sieler rewarded with new contract extension
Sieler has 10 sacks in back-to-back Dolphins seasons. On and off the field?
Real deal.
Will this new deal finally end the underrated narrative?
"We'll have to see about that," Sieler said.
From 7th round pick to waived twice by the Ravens to Dolphins MVP in 2024.
"Look, just because you're from somewhere that no one knows the name of or where you are on a map doesn't mean that you can't make it," Sieler said. "And by all means, this isn't the end."
There are now five years left on Sieler's contract and he's not likely to be quite the same player at 33 or 34 as he is at 30, despite limited college and pro tread.
But rewarding Sieler was the right thing to do. This is not an outsider who has held out or threated to hold out if he's not among the highest-paid at his position.
This is a player who - no, he does not have the national cache of Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle - but this is a player who should be featured on the Game Day programs and TV graphics, representing the Dolphins.
"I feel like now I'm more equipped and more ready than ever to lead this team and lead this defense to an amazing season," Sieler said.
Zach Sieler of Miami Dolphins has mindset of a winner
The Dolphins need more players like Sieler. Lunchpail mentality. Hard hat approach.
Less talk, more do. Less flash, more power. The real deal.
Sieler bought a tractor. But has no plan to upgrade his 2022 Ford F250 pickup truck.
On the day of his press conference, Sieler recalled how he and Hannah had lived in an RV for a few years at the beginning of his pro career.
That RV needed leaks to be fixed and an AC to be repaired. That RV's long gone, though he may be in the market for a new one.
"We love those moments and those memories of simpler times," Sieler said.
The Dolphins need more guys who take a simple, straight-line, no-nonsense approach. The Dolphins need more guys who talk about meat-and-potatoes things like "attacking every day with deliberate technique and fundamentals."
The Dolphins haven't won a playoff game in 20 years. If they don't win one in 2025, it's highly unlikely to be Sieler to blame.
And that's the real deal.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] 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: Why Miami Dolphins' Zach Sieler deserves every penny of new deal | Schad
Category: Football
