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The Miami Dolphins are 1-6, and could be looking towards a big sell-off at the trade deadline this season. With the future of the franchise around Tua Tagovailoa uncertain, Miami could look to clean house in the coming years.
It'd be a surprise, but if Miami falls to 1-7 after Week 8 and 1-8 after Week 9, then a fire sale might not be out of the question. One name garnering significant interest, despite the Dolphins' intentions not to trade him, is star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
As Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com reports, the Dolphins' star receiver is drawing trade interest from an AFC North team that Miami is very familiar with after their offseason exchanges.
Steelers eyeing trade deadline blockbuster for Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle
"Two names I am hearing as trade targets are Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins and Calvin Ridley of the Tennessee Titans," Pauline reports. "According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Dolphins don't plan on trading Waddle, but that could change if Miami continues to lose and the right deal is placed in front of them."
Trading Waddle won't just be a hurdle for the Pittsburgh Steelers to overcome; it's one the Dolphins will have a tough time both justifying and hashing out the details.
Waddle is signed through the 2028 season and is on a fairly reasonable contract this season, counting for $8 million against the cap. It jumps up to $11.6 million in 2026, but in 2027, his cap hit surges to $33.8 million.
That massive cap hit will make any trade difficult to make, but the Steelers could overlook the cap hit that comes into effect in 2027 to try to elevate their Super Bowl chances with Aaron Rodgers for the 2025 and potentially 2026 seasons.
More: Dolphins could trade 2024 draft pick after just one year in Miami
Miami has reason to consider a Waddle trade, though all signs point to such a deal not happening this season. But, as Pauline mentions, if the Dolphins continue to lose, then Waddle could be on the move at the deadline.
The Steelers are looking for wide receiver help, and with their offseason connection with the Dolphins in the Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith for Minkah Fitzpatrick blockbuster, trade talks might be easier to get started.
Waddle is 26 years old and will turn 27 in November. He has 405 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season on 30 receptions. Trading for such a player won't be cheap for the Steelers, but with Rodgers at the helm, committing to 2025 makes sense for Pittsburgh.
A trade might not be likely at the moment, but this report, combined with all of the rumors surrounding Waddle, makes the star wide receiver a player to watch as the deadline approaches, as Chris Grier dealing him away isn't out of the question just yet.
More Dolphins News:
- Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle linked to Giants as top potential trade target
- Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa apologizes for postgame comments: 'I made a mistake'
- Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa to face Browns' Dillon Gabriel in first lefty QB duel in 19 years
- Mike McDaniel Dolphins timeline: Why players-only meeting news from Tua Tagovailoa could signal end of era
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