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McDaniel: Minkah Wants to Be in Miami, No Update on Zach Sieler

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Mike Oliva | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 11:33 AM ET

At his Wednesday morning media session, Mike McDaniel was asked about a lot of topics as before the Dolphins took the field for their first practice of this training camp.

Zach Sieler has been a hot topic, as there have been rumblings that he will not participate or will only participate on a very minimal level during the next six weeks prior to the regular season, as he wants a contract extension and more money. When asked, McDaniel tap-danced around the question and was non-committal regarding whether Sieler will be an active participant in this year’s training camp.

Regarding the injury to safety Ifeatu Melifonwu and why he was placed on that Non-Football Injury list, McDaniel said the injury is not significant and he isn’t worried about it. The reason he was placed on the list is more preventative in nature than anything.

When asked about Minkah Fitzpatrick now being part of the team, McDaniel said Minkah is a really good fit schematically for the Dolphins and he is excited to have him. When asked if Minkah wanted to come to Miami (because it wasn’t that long ago he demanded a trade out of Miami), he said the team confirmed with Fitzpatrick before the trade that he wanted to be in Miami now.

Mike McDaniel said they clarified that Minkah Fitzpatrick wants to play football for the Dolphins before making the trade.

— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 23, 2025

Regarding Liam Eichenberg, McDaniel said the injury isn’t “season-ending,” but it will be weeks before he is able to return to practice, and that is why they put him on PUP.

Liam is weeks away from returning: “As tough as a player I’ve been around,” McDaniel said. “Not a season ender.”… Melifonwu has “nothing that I’m worried about.” More preventative.

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 23, 2025

McDaniel said the reason Darren Waller was placed on PUP is because that is standard procedure for someone coming out of retirement. And that Waller is in great shape and he is trying to avoid a 0 to 60 element upon his return.

When McDaniel was asked if they are trying to add a cornerback, he said…

“Are we resisting getting better? We are not resisting getting better. I understand there are a lot of tweets, words, articles about a [position. If you have youth at a position, you have confidence in it [before others do]. We’re not closing the door on anything. There are multiple players we talk about each and every day. Also very excited with some guys who have a lot to prove and are excited about the opportunity.”

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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