NFL Insider’s Burning Questions About the Miami Dolphins’ Defense

On July 22nd, the Miami Dolphins‘ entire roster must report to training camp. The rookies showed up on the 15th, but the real fun will begin on Tuesday. And after what some would consider a tumultuous offseason, the Miami Herald’s veteran Dolphins’ reporter Omar Kelly has some serious questions for the defense.

And, he – and everyone else – should.

His full story, “Ten pressing questions about the Dolphins defense,” can be found right here, but a few points stand out.

Will Zach Sieler get a new deal?

A Miami Dolphins’ player wants a new contract…what’s new?

People forget that defensive tackle Zach Sieler is in need of a pay raise. Well, it’s safe to say Sieler didn’t and it’s possible that he could be a hold-in during training camp. Just what the Dolphins need.

“Sieler has spent the past three seasons establishing himself as one of the NFL’s top defensive tackles, which is why he and his agent have been pushing for him to be paid like one since January, when he concluded his second straight 10-sack season,” Kelly writes. “Sieler’s guaranteed money has come to an end, so in an ideal world he would get an extension before the regular season arrives, and that extension would likely include a substantial raise.

“Sieler’s slated to make between $16 million and $18 million during the next two years, but that’s how much the NFL’s top-15 defensive tackles make per season. Will the Dolphins reward Sieler for his play and leadership, or force him to sit out all of training camp as he pushes for a new deal?”

Considering the Dolphins have about $1.2 million in cap space left and general manager Chris Grier needs some flexibility just to sign random players for injuries and such, how would that deal get done? Grier is hamstrung by huge contracts, especially as Tua Tagovailoa‘s big money numbers really start kicking in.

Will Phillips and Chubb even be healthy?

Linebacker Jaelan Phillips was a first-round pick in 2021 and played in all 17 games in each of his first two seasons. Since then, he’s started just nine games in the last two seasons and totaled 7.5 sacks during that time.

During the 2022 season, the Dolphins made a trade with the Denver Broncos to acquire Bradley Chubb, who had a very nice 2023 with with 11 sacks, but he missed all of last year with an injury.

Can these guys stay healthy and contribute?

“Both of Miami’s top pass rushers have battled durability issues throughout their football careers, and were each sidelined by serious injuries in 2023 and 2024,” Kelly continues. “Phillips sustained an ACL injury months after tearing an Achilles, and Chubb tore three ligaments in his right knee and has spent the 17 months rehabbing the injury. Considering each has the talent to produce 10 or more sacks if given a starter’s snaps it’s critical to this team’s success that both remain healthy.

“That’s why it wouldn’t be surprising to see their participation were limited during training camp and the exhibition season. Miami’s coaches realize they are better off with limited versions of both pass rushers than playing without them.”

Fitzpatrick is one safety, who is the other?

If you have a lot of questions about the Dolphins’ secondary, you aren’t alone. Gone is Jalen Ramsey and the team welcomes back Minkah Fitzpatrick. Who knows if it was more important to get rid of Ramsey than it was to acquire Fitzpatrick, but what’s done is done.

Fitzpatrick will definitely be one starting safety, but who starts opposite him?

“Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu signed with Miami this offseason with the expectations that they would serve as the Dolphins’ two starting safeties,” Kelly writes. “But Fitzpatrick’s addition only leaves room for one, and it will probably come down to who complements Fitzpatrick the best.

“Melifonwu has more range and position versatility, but Davis plays with power, and that’s appealing to a team that hopes to shed its soft-finesse reputation in 2025. We shouldn’t overlook Elijah Campbell either because Weaver has been a fan of his work since joining the team a year ago.”

With a roster full of question marks and very little cap wiggle room, it could be a really long year for the Dolphins. They are probably a Tagovailoa injury away from in-season firings.