Zach Sieler Trade Calls Reportedly Shut Down By Dolphins Ahead of NFL Deadline

The Miami Dolphins traded linebacker Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET NFL deadline, but they decided to keep another notable member of their defense.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Wednesday that Miami "received calls" from other teams regarding defensive tackle Zach Sieler but did not make a trade since it wasn't "entertaining any deal unless it involved a high Day 2 pick."

That the 2-7 Dolphins are in rebuilding mode and playing out the string on a lost season made them a logical candidate to trade some players ahead of Tuesday's deadline and perhaps land draft picks in return.

Yet Sieler is someone who can help them down the line as well considering he is under contract through the 2029 campaign. Miami surely wanted more in return for him than it would have for a rental player on the last year of his deal and never received an offer satisfactory enough to trade him.

Sieler has been with the Dolphins since the 2019 season and posted 10 sacks in each of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. 

However, he does not have a sack through nine games in 2025. He does have 26 tackles, four tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and a pass defended and is someone who is versatile enough to play on the interior or outside of the defensive line if needed.

That is the exact type of presence along the defensive front that many contenders could use, but trading for him would also mean committing to a lengthy contract for a 30-year-old who hasn't been as productive this season.

Given that as the backdrop, the potential suitors and Dolphins likely had a difference in opinion on compensation and never came to terms on a trade.

That means he will be in the lineup for Miami on Sunday when it faces the Buffalo Bills.