Miami Dolphins brace for NFL trade deadline: 'I've loved my time here'
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Miami Dolphins brace for NFL trade deadline: 'I've loved my time here'
Eric J. Wallace, Palm Beach Post·Palm Beach Post
·
2 min read
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MIAMI GARDENS — As the clock wound down on theMiami Dolphins' 19-9 loss to the Detroit Lionson Sunday, Nov. 8, another clock started ticking for some of the franchise's most familiar veterans.
The NFL trade deadline arrives Tuesday at 4 p.m., and severalDolphins, including defensive lineman Zach Sieler and offensive tackle Austin Jackson, have surfaced in league trade speculation.
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Sieler, 31, and Jackson, 27, have spent a combined 15 seasons with Miami. But with the Dolphins 1-7 and in the midst of an extensive roster rebuild, either could be moved for assets that might help shape the franchise's future.
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Josh Uche (9) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive line Zach Sieler (92) and safety Michael Taaffe (16) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive line Zach Sieler (92) and defensive end Josh Uche (9) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive line Zach Sieler (92) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) drops back to pass during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) hands off to running back Ollie Gordon II (0) during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) carries the ball during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, left,
talks with former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino before the game between the Detroit Lions and the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) arrives in linebacker Jack Campbell’s jersey ahead of the game against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Detroit Lions fans hold signs to show love for injured linebacker Jack Campbell ahead of the game between Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
1/10
Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Josh Uche (9) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/10
Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Josh Uche (9) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/10
Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive line Zach Sieler (92) and safety Michael Taaffe (16) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/10
Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive line Zach Sieler (92) and defensive end Josh Uche (9) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/10
Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive line Zach Sieler (92) sacks Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/10
Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) drops back to pass during the first half against the Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/10
Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) hands off to running back Ollie Gordon II (0) during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/10
Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) carries the ball during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/10
Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, left,
talks with former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino before the game between the Detroit Lions and the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Santiago-Imagn Images
(David Santiago, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/10
Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) arrives in linebacker Jack Campbell’s jersey ahead of the game against Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
10/10
Miami Dolphins host Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Stadium NFL Week 9
Detroit Lions fans hold signs to show love for injured linebacker Jack Campbell ahead of the game between Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.
(Junfu Han, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
For players, though, a rebuild becomes much more personal when they are among the assets that could be moved.
Jackson, the No. 18 overall pick by Miami in the 2020 NFL Draft, has started 67 games at four positions along the Dolphins' offensive line.
He started all but one game in 2023, at the explosive peak of the Mike McDaniel era. Three years later, Jackson is enduring the other side of that cycle as Miami tears down and reshapes its roster.
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Standing in front of his locker Sunday, Jackson said he's grateful for his time in Miami, regardless of what happens over the next two days.
"I want to go wherever wants me," Jackson said. "I love the Dolphins. I've loved my time here."
Last week, Jackson expressed a similar sentiment when discussing the "end of my career." He simply wants to play somewhere he's part of the franchise's future plans.
It's a uniquely uncontrollable situation for players accustomed to dictating nearly every aspect of their preparation, from workouts and conditioning to recovery.
Nov 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Miami Dolphins defensive end Josh Uche (9) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Josh Uche understands that uncertainty, too.
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The 28-year-old edge rusher is enjoying one of his best NFL seasons. He has started seven games for Miami this year, one more than he started over his previous six NFL seasons combined.
Uche said he'll spend the next 48 hours preparing as though he'll be with the Dolphins when they play the Indianapolis Colts next week.
"I'm just going to go home, take care of my body and hang with my peoples," Uche said. "I'll attack the day as if I'm going to be here."
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@usatodayco.com.
