Zach Sieler earns AFC Defensive Player of the Week after tormenting Aaron Rodgers and the Jets

Zach Sieler stepped up when the Miami Dolphins defense needed help most.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets offense put together five-straight scoring drives to begin last Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. That said, lineman Zach Sieler delivered an added punch when the defense needed it in the fourth quarter.

Sieler disrupted the Jets with two fourth-quarter sacks of Aaron Rodgers, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his four tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for a loss Sunday. He’s the first Dolphins defender to earn the honors since Week 15 of last season — which also came against the Jets.

With New York facing a third and 2 at its own 25, Sieler brought down Rodgers for a nine-yard loss, forcing a punt with Miami trailing 23-15 and just over 14 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Sieler struck again later in the frame. His second sack turned a second and 15 from Miami’s 32 into a third and 21. While Jets kicker Andrew Carlson managed a 42-yard field goal with 52 seconds left, Sieler’s disruption derailed any chance of a touchdown and preserved time for Miami’s offense.

“He’s a player that far after he gets done playing, he will serve an example for the next 20 rookie classes of perseverance and what you can do if you just refuse to give up and attack adversity,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday.

Sieler was drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He was waived after roughly two years with the franchise and was claimed off waivers by Miami on Dec. 5, 2019. He’s since signed three extensions with the Dolphins, most recently a three-year $38 million deal in August 2023.

“I think there was a random stat that he was the first player to be cut to sign a contract at whatever level he signed at, whatever that number was. And what has he done with that? Earned it every week, and then some,” McDaniel said. “Week-in, week-out, he finds ways to make plays. He is a monumental piece to our team.

“Every Sunday, a lot of his teammates are relying upon him bringing what he has to offer for the team and he never, ever backs down and loves the game of football and is just one of the cooler players I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach.”

Sieler, who posted a career-high 10 sacks last season, has continued his pace as a reliable pass rusher while Miami deals with injuries to Chubb and Jaelan Phillips at edge rusher. He’s picked up the pace of late with sacks in three of Miami’s last four games and currently leads the team with six sacks and 10 tackles for a loss.

As Miami prepares for the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sieler’s ability to disrupt the pocket will be pivotal in slowing down quarterback C.J. Stroud and keeping slim playoff hopes alive for another week.