Jaylen Waddle trade rumor explains why Broncos, other teams didn't make deal

As the NFL Trade deadline has passed, the Miami Dolphins may have missed a golden opportunity to move a valued commodity. It would have been a look to the future, as the 'Fins have floundered in 2025, sitting at 2-7 after Week 9. Their offense has been inconsistent, and their defense downright disastrous in what has already become another lost season.

The team was hoping to cash in veteran receiver Jaylen Waddle in exchange for a glimpse towards the future. But according to sources, the team was asking for too much in return for the former sixth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

"The Broncos and a few other teams reached out to — and monitored — the Dolphins about WR Jaylen Waddle, but no deal will get done," NFL Insider Jordan Schultz posted on X. Miami’s asking price was simply too high, per sources.

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As the deadline passed, more details came into play as to why no team jumped on the chance to pick up the Dolphins receiver.

"The Dolphins did listen to calls for Jaylen Waddle," wrote NFL reporter Connor Hughes. "They wanted a first-round pick plus, I'm told. That was too rich for most receiver-needy teams."

Waddle led the league with 18.1 yards per catch in 2022. In that same year, he racked up a career-high 1,356 yards and eight touchdown receptions. However, he has trended downward over the last two seasons. In 2024, he only recorded 700 yards receiving and two touchdowns in 14 games played.