The divisional showdown on Sunday between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins would have looked much different if the Bills had their way. Per a new report on the trade deadline, the team tried to sway the Dolphins by trading Jaylen Waddle for a huge amount of draft capital.
It is not often that teams trade with one another, and it would have been truly shocking had the Dolphins traded away their best player to their biggest rival. However, Miami was searching for at least a first-round pick and more, which is what the Bills reportedly offered.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero let the news drop that the Bills made a lucrative offer to the Dolphins for Waddle, but not in the way that the Dolphins wanted it.
“I am told the Bills made a run at multiple big targets within the AFC East, offering a first-round pick as part of a package to the Dolphins for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and to the Jets for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. In fact, I am told the Bills had the highest offer for Jaylen Waddle, but Miami wanted a first-round pick in 2026, not 2027, as part of the package. Ultimately, Miami decided that the Bills’ offer, which also included a third-round pick in 2026, was not enough to move their star receiver,” Pelissero said.
The Bills may have offered the Dolphins a first-round pick as they requested, but not one that was to be used in next year’s draft. Many expected Miami to be big sellers at the deadline, but that wasn’t the case.
The Dolphins only traded Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles for a third-round pick. The good news is Waddle can now be built around in this upcoming reset, but there is a chance Miami chooses to engage in some huge offseason trades as well.
Waddle has been seen a the receiver that would take over for Tyreek Hill, so the Dolphins trading him would mean they will completely blow up the roster. However, it is hard for any team to say no to first-round picks.
For more on the Dolphins, head to Newsweek Sports.
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.