A.J. Brown
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The Broncos reportedly never showed interest in acquiring A.J. Brown prior to trading for Jaylen Waddle
The Denver Broncos had been one of the quieter teams early on this offseason, despite making an unexpected run to the AFC Championship Game last year. That all changed on Tuesday morning when the Broncos pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins for star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
While it cost Denver a first, third, and fourth-round pick, Waddle gives quarterback Bo Nix another go-to option he can work with in the passing game moving forward. Another guy the Broncos were reportedly interested in acquiring was Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, but in the wake of this move for Waddle being made, a surprising report involving Brown has emerged.
Broncos ‘Never Showed Interest’ in A.J. Brown Trade
Despite speculation, I’m told the Denver Broncos never showed interest in trading for A.J. Brown. They always had their eye on Jaylen Waddle.
Sean Payton and Bo Nix have a new receiving threat. https://t.co/oa8R9xVcun
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 17, 2026
In 2025, Denver’s offense excelled, despite the fact that it only had one true top-tier playmaker, Courtland Sutton, leading the way on offense. While Troy Franklin emerged as a solid complementary wide receiver, he didn’t strike fear into opposing defenses in the way that other No. 2 wide receivers across the league do.
That will change with the addition of Waddle. Despite playing second-fiddle to Tyreek Hill in recent years, Waddle has remained one of the most productive wideouts in the league. Even with Miami’s offense completely falling apart in 2025, Waddle still racked up 64 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns. With Denver, those numbers should increase in 2026.
Perhaps the biggest name on the trade block at the wide receiver position this offseason has been Brown, but to this point, the Eagles have opted not to move him. That’s been due, in part, to a lack of suitors, thanks to the front office’s high asking price. And as it turns out, the Broncos were part of the group of teams that were never in on Brown, as their focus all offseason long had been on getting a deal for Waddle.
“Despite speculation, I’m told the Denver Broncos never showed interest in trading for A.J. Brown,” Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported. “They always had their eye on Jaylen Waddle. Sean Payton and Bo Nix have a new receiving threat.”
Broncos Hoping for Big Things from Jaylen Waddle in 2026
Jaylen Waddle
GettyNFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Miami Dolphins agreed to trade wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos on Tuesday.
Combining Waddle with Sutton gives Nix one of the top wide receiver duos in the league. While Sutton is known for his size, Waddle is a speed demon who can get open at all three levels of the field. If the team keeps Franklin around, Denver’s passing game is going to cause more problems for opposing defenses than it already has been doing over the past few years.
Expectations were already high for the Broncos heading into 2026, but the addition of Waddle could make it a Super Bowl-or-bust year for this team. Their defense remains elite, and Nix looks likely to only keep getting better as he gets more games under his belt. An AFC Championship Game run last season was nice, but it’s clear Denver has its sights set on some bigger goals for next year.