Miami Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle
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Miami Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle is one of two receivers the Pittsburgh Steelers could have interest in before the NFL trade deadline.
Once a possible trade target for the Pittsburgh Steelers, 1,000-yard wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is now headed to a new team. According to ESPN senior insider Adam Schefter, the Miami Dolphins are trading the star wide receiver to the Denver Broncos. The former first-round pick in Waddle, along with a fourth-round pick, heads to the Mile High City, while a first, third, and fourth-round pick goes to Miami.
What is interesting here is that the Steelers were interested in trading for Waddle last season. According to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, Pittsburgh sent Miami an offer for the former Alabama star ahead of the trade deadline in 2025.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Offered Multiple Picks for Jaylen Waddle
Steelers GM Omar Khan praised for DK Metcalf contract.
GettyPittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan is still searching for his first Super Bowl win in his current role.
Here is what Kaboly had to say last season regarding what the Steelers potentially offered the Dolphins for Waddle before Miami ultimately declined:
“If I was a guessing man, I would say a three and a five.”
Kaboly also noted that the Steelers were interested in trading for veteran receiver Jakobi Meyers before Meyers was ultimately sent to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Nevertheless, the Steelers’ pursuit of another elite-level wide receiver has been very evident. That much is known, seeing as they were able to agree to terms on a trade for two-time 1,000-yard receiver Michael Pittman Jr. during the NFL’s free agency period. With six draft picks inside the first four rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft, they may not be done adding help at that position.
The Top of the AFC Gets Tougher After Jaylen Waddle Trade
Aaron Rodgers Cameron Heyward Pittsburgh Steelers
GettyThe Steelers won the AFC North for the first time since 2020 last season.
The AFC was already a loaded conference. Seven teams had at least 10 wins in the regular season in 2025. The Dolphins are clearly not a playoff contender as a rebuilding team, but their decision to trade Waddle to a Super Bowl-ready team in Denver means the path to a Super Bowl title will likely be tougher for a team like the Steelers. Even though Pittsburgh won its division last season, it only had three wins over teams with a record above .500.
Not only is Denver ready to contend for a title, but other AFC powers such as the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots are all-in on bringing the Lombardi back to their cities in 2026. Furthermore, other AFC North teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals could each see drastic improvements to their records.
This is why it could be important for four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers to return to Pittsburgh for another season, especially after a rebirth of a season in 2025 that saw the future Hall of Fame signal-caller record 25 total touchdowns, just seven interceptions, and a respectable 94.8 passer rating. Also, if he were to link back up with his former head coach in Green Bay, Mike McCarthy, their strong history on offense could give the Steelers a positive jolt in a brutal conference.