The NFL’s Nov. 4 trade deadline is on the horizon. As rumors and speculation around the league begin to heat up, for once, that won’t be happening in the Florida sun. Despite their 1-5 record, the Miami Dolphins may approach the deadline as buyers rather than sellers. As is the case around the league, a dismal opening month of regular-season football means that other general managers are going to begin eyeing your roster like prey.
But there doesn’t appear to be a fire sale happening in Miami, at least not yet. The Dolphins have been contacted by other teams about the availability of star wideout Jaylen Waddle, however, according to NFL.com, they have no interest in dealing him.
Jaylen Waddle’s Outlook in Miami
Waddle, a former first-round pick, turns 27 years old in November. He’s still in the prime of his career and with Tyreek Hill’s days in Miami seemingly numbered, Waddle may ultimately blossom into their long-term No. 1 receiver.
Ian Rapoport compared Waddle’s availability (or lack thereof) to defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons with the Tennessee Titans: practically untouchable.
“Several teams have called the Dolphins about star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and sources have been told Miami has no interest in trading him,” Rapoport wrote. “Similar to Simmons for Tennessee, dealing Waddle would signal a look to the future rather than trying to win now.”
The Dolphins turning their nose up at the idea of shipping off Waddle doesn’t necessarily mean every player on their roster is off the table. Rapoport lists a trio of edge rushers as potential trade pieces, naming Matthew Judon, Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.
The contract ramifications of a Waddle trade would also be incredibly difficult for the Dolphins to absorb. He signed a three-year extension worth $84.75 million dollars last year, including $36 million dollars fully guaranteed at signing.
Waddle technically hasn’t even played a single down of football on his new deal, as 2025 marks the final year of his rookie contract.
Next year, Waddle’s cap charge is a bargain at $11.6 million dollars, according to Spotrac. If he were to be traded, the Dolphins would have to eat a dead cap hit of $23.2 million, or double that aforementioned number.
Waddle In the Driver’s Seat for Targets
Since being drafted by the Dolphins in 2021, Waddle’s rookie season was the only time he was truly in the spotlight without Hill in the lineup.
The Dolphins sent a first-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for Hill, and ever since, he’s been the primary target for Tua Tagovailoa. That was reflected by back-to-back campaigns with over 1,700 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns in that span.
Waddle still enjoyed three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons before registering career lows of 744 yards and just two touchdowns last year.
On Sept. 29, Hill sustained a gruesome season-ending injury on “Monday Night Football,” against the New York Jets. He dislocated his left knee and tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), along with other ligaments.
For someone whose speed was his greatest asset and with his 32nd birthday coming up next spring, it’s fair to question whether he’ll ever be the same player again. Some signs indicate that the Dolphins and Hill may part ways at the conclusion of the season.
Sans Hill, Waddle responded with 205 yards and a touchdown in the Dolphins’ last two games. He saw more than eight targets in both games, marking the first time this season that he was targeted more than six times in any game.
