Jaylen Waddle stared at the numbers on his phone screen, and they told a story he didn’t want to read. After three straight 1,000-yard seasons that earned him a $76 million extension, the Miami Dolphins receiver had just endured the worst year of his professional career.
Two touchdowns. Fifty-eight catches. A season that left him searching for answers and admitting what every fan already knew: something went very wrong in 2024.
What Went Wrong With WR Jaylen Waddle’s 2024 Performance?
The numbers paint a stark picture of Waddle’s struggles. With 58 receptions on 83 targets, his production dropped across every major category. Before 2024, he had never finished a season with fewer than 72 catches. His rookie year alone saw 104 receptions, which is just 26 more than he’s managed in his past two seasons combined.
The receiving yards tell an even more troubling story. Waddle’s 1,356 receiving yards in 2022 now seem like a distant memory. Those yards were just 132 shy of double what he finished with in 2024, highlighting just how far his production fell.
In an interview with ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques, Waddle didn’t sugarcoat his feelings about the season. He admitted that 2024 was “definitely the year that I didn’t want as an individual.” The Alabama product identified the specific area where he needs to improve.
“After watching the film, definitely a lot of hand-eye [coordination.] I feel like I’m trying to move without the ball too much. And just the simple things, just timing, getting smoother in and out of my routes. Pretty much that.”
Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill in the lab together. 🔬
Iron sharpening iron. ⚒️ (IG/_tjhart) #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/aHu9IYpYSh
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) July 10, 2025
How Did the Season Start, and Where Did It Fall Apart?
Waddle’s struggles weren’t immediately obvious. He began the 2024 season with 310 yards in Miami’s first eight games. While Tua Tagovailoa’s availability wasn’t consistent throughout the year, the quarterback situation clearly contributed to Waddle’s decline.
The season opener against Jacksonville offered a glimpse of what fans expected. Waddle’s 109-yard performance against the Jaguars looked like the start of another productive campaign. However, that promising beginning quickly faded. In the three weeks following that strong opener, he managed just 103 yards combined.
Despite the overall struggles, Waddle did show flashes of his ability. The 26-year-old finished three games with 99 or more receiving yards, with that Week 1 performance being one of them. But those bright spots were too few and far between to salvage what became a forgettable season.
Every Jaylen Waddle target with Tua Tagovailoa on the field in 2024 pic.twitter.com/npyLesVOq2
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) June 27, 2025
The touchdown drought proved most concerning of all. Waddle finished 2024 with just two touchdowns, a career low by a wide margin. His previous touchdown totals tell the story: six in 2021, eight in 2022, and four in 2023. The drop to two represents a stunning fall for a receiver who had been so reliable in the red zone.
Adding insult to injury, Jonnu Smith led the team with eight receiving touchdowns before being part of the Jalen Ramsey trade that sent him to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Beyond Tyreek Hill’s six touchdowns, both Smith and running back De’Von Achane finished with more receiving touchdowns than Waddle. Even though Waddle had 152 more receiving yards than Achane, the running back still managed four more touchdowns than the fourth-year wide receiver.
The Dolphins clearly still believe in Waddle’s potential. His contract runs through the 2028 season with $76 million guaranteed, and the organization isn’t letting one down year change their long-term plans. With Waddle acknowledging his areas for improvement and working alongside Hill in the offseason, Miami hopes their investment will pay off when the 2025 season begins.
