The Miami Dolphins’ latest reset is already putting a familiar pressure point back on the table: the trade deadline. And if one league insider is right, two veteran names could be floating around before long - Zach Sieler and Austin Jackson.
Jason La Canfora identified both Dolphins players as possible trade candidates, though the two situations don’t carry the same weight. Jackson being mentioned at all is a surprise. Sieler, on the other hand, is the one who could actually matter.
Miami already showed a willingness to deal at the deadline in 2025, sending Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles in a move that made sense for both sides. The other big decision went the other way, with interim GM Champ Kelly choosing not to move Bradley Chubb despite having at least one offer. If calls come in on Sieler, it would not be a shock if GM Jon-Eric Sullivan at least listens.
That’s where the tension starts. Sieler is 31, and the Dolphins are staring at a year that doesn’t exactly scream immediate contention.
He’s been a steady presence, and Jeff Hafley recently praised his dedication and the way he controls the defensive line as a leader. But even with that kind of value, a strong enough offer could put him in play.
There are hints that Miami may already be thinking through the possibilities. The Dolphins have continued to work out defensive linemen, especially tackles, even though Jordan Phillips has been better than expected, Zeek Biggers is offering versatility, Sieler is still a headliner, and Kenneth Grant returns to practice this week. With other needs on the roster, adding more DT help doesn’t make much sense unless the team is planning for something bigger.
One possibility is that Miami is doing homework in case a deal materializes - not just for Sieler, but even for Grant. For now, though, Sieler is the name to watch.
Jackson is a different story entirely. La Canfora described him as “Young, affordable, and having extensive starting experience.” He also said, “His team-friendly reworked contract makes him easy to move, and he is an impending unrestricted free agent on a rebuilding Miami roster.”
But the on-field reality is hard to ignore. Jackson has not been playing well, he has a lengthy injury history, and he has been rated one of the worst tackles in 2026.
Executives around the league know it too. If Sullivan could somehow pull draft pick compensation for him, that would be a win.
Miami can afford to move on, especially with Caedan Wallace in the picture.
Of the two veterans, Sieler is the one most likely to come up repeatedly over the next month. Miami would be giving up a player who still helps set the tone, but for a team not built to chase a title this year, he also looks like the kind of piece a contender could covet for a Super Bowl push.
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For fans trying to find the game, the wrinkle is distribution: this one is being carried regionally, with the Dolphins-Bengals matchup shown in southern Florida and the Cincinnati area while other NFL games are spread across different networks and time slots around the state. For Miami supporters, it means a quick check of the local listings before kickoff instead of assuming the usual Sunday afternoon slot will sort itself out. [Read more 🡒]