The Miami Dolphins signed DT Zach Sieler to a huge extension on Aug. 4, 2025, but face injury woes with Austin Jackson. Get the details on the big contract.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
In a major move to solidify their defensive front, the Miami Dolphins locked down star defensive tackle Zach Sieler with a massive three-year, $64 million extension on Monday. The deal, which includes $44 million guaranteed, rewards a player who has become a linchpin for the defense. But as the ink dried on Sieler's contract, the revolving door at the team facility kept spinning, with mounting injuries and daily roster shuffles painting a picture of a team still very much in flux.
Rookie edge rusher Chop Robinson was graded as the seventh-best pass rusher in football from Week 8 to Week 17 last season, with the fourth-most pressures and a 20% win rate in pass rushes.
The Dolphins sent a clear message by extending Zach Sieler: they pay their own. After back-to-back seasons with double-digit sacks, Sieler earned his place as a cornerstone. This move, combined with the team previously exercising the fifth-year options for Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips, shows a clear strategy from GM Chris Grier to build around homegrown talent. For a team facing questions about its direction after an 8-9 season, securing a player of Sieler's caliber provides some much-needed stability on the defensive line.
For every bit of good news, there seems to be a corresponding setback. The offensive line, a perennial concern, took another hit with tackle Austin Jackson expected to miss a few weeks. The offense also lost a key role player as fullback Alec Ingold entered the concussion protocol. These injuries underscore the team's fragility and put immediate pressure on depth players. The signing of veteran lineman Germain Ifedi is a direct, necessary reaction, but it's a patch on a problem that continues to plague the Dolphins' preparations.
Despite the injuries and outside noise, several players are making their case on the practice field. Jaylen Waddle has looked electric, validating the team's faith in him. New linebackers Willie Gay Jr. and Jordyn Brooks are flying around, promising a new-look speed for the defense. But the biggest buzz surrounds rookie Chop Robinson. His pass-rush metrics from last season were elite, and he's showing flashes of that same disruptive potential in camp. Alongside a sharp-looking Tua Tagovailoa, these standouts offer a powerful dose of optimism.
Let's not forget the context for this season. After missing the playoffs in 2024, both GM Chris Grier and Coach Mike McDaniel are feeling the heat. Analysts have been quick to predict a challenging year, citing everything from internal dysfunction to trade rumors and Tua's health. Every practice, every roster move, and every injury report is being scrutinized. The front office's decision to invest heavily in players like Sieler, Waddle, and Phillips is their answer to the criticism, a bet that the talent they've assembled is ready to win now.
With the first preseason game on the horizon, the Dolphins are a team of compelling contradictions. They're investing heavily in their core while simultaneously patching holes caused by an unrelenting injury bug. The pressure is on, the doubts are loud, but the talent is undeniable. The coming weeks will reveal if the bright spots of training camp can outshine the shadows of concern and prove the analysts wrong.
