An ESPN show was halted for breaking NFL news that left fans shaking their heads after finding out that Jaylen Waddle was traded to the Denver Broncos, continuing the Miami Dolphins' rebuild
16:55 ET, 17 Mar 2026Updated 16:55 ET, 17 Mar 2026
Dan Orlovsky and ESPN were forced to halt their discussion to talk about Jaylen Waddle being traded to the Denver Broncos
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Dan Orlovsky and ESPN were forced to halt their discussion to talk about Jaylen Waddle being traded to the Denver Broncos(Image: X: @FirstTake)
ESPN halted First Take to deliver breaking news that Jaylen Waddle had been traded to the Denver Broncos.
The Miami Dolphins are fully rebuilding, looking for a fresh start after a 7-10 season that saw head coach Mike McDaniel fired, stars Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill released, while Waddle and star Minkah Fitzpatrick were traded to the Broncos and New York Jets, respectively.
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As the Dolphins look to start over from scratch, the decision to trade Waddle caught the ESPN crew off guard. Not only was ESPN's talent surprised, but fans on social media were left scratching their heads as the news was confirmed. It comes after ESPN hosts were slammed as 'absolutely pathetic' after a recent NFL theory.
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"Dolphins smh [shake my head]," one fan wrote in response to the news that the 27-year-old would be playing elsewhere next season. Another fan wrote: "Seems like Miami’s been 'looking to the future' for the better part of 25 years."
After the news broke that Waddle was going to be the Broncos' next star receiver, former NFL quarterback and current ESPN pundit Dan Orlovsky spoke on what the trade meant for both teams, claiming that he "absolutely" loved the trade for Denver. He believed the star was the "missing piece" for the Broncos.
At the same time, Orlovsky stated he also loved the deal for Miami because it allows them to focus specifically on what they are trying to accomplish: acquiring as many assets as possible. "You've got to admit who you are. You're very much so rebuilding," the pundit declared.
Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the NFL 2025 game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 07, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Jaylen Waddle was traded to the Denver Broncos, which left fans shaking their heads to the news(Image: Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
"Waddell's a really nice player. He's coming off of a season, even with the bad situations at quarterback, 64 catches, over 900 yards, six touchdowns. That was on the back of, I think, three straight thousand-yard receiving seasons from 2022 to 2024.
"But Miami's looking towards the future, specifically with Malik Willis coming quarterback there. I love it for both parts, but this is a huge pickup for Denver." That said, while Orlovsky might have liked the trade for both sides, Dolphins fans were less than enthused.
In exchange for Waddle and the Dolphins' fourth-round pick in 2026, Miami is receiving Denver's first, third, and fourth-round picks in this year's draft.
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"Love you Dan, but fudge you Dan, Miami is trash, this only makes their team worse, like all of their off season moves so far, because doesn't and never will care about winning, only taking the fans money and F1!!!" a seemingly irate Dolphins fan wrote in response to Orlovsky's trade breakdown.
Miami's receiving corps now includes Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert, Terrace Marshall Jr., Malik Washington, Tahj Washington, Theo Wease Jr., and A.J. Henning. Of note, the Dolphins' last season had two Pro Bowl-level stars in Hill and Waddle.
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Fans also felt bad for Malik Willis, who signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract with the Dolphins. “Malik Willis just signed a 360 Deal with hell," one fan wrote.
A second added: “And just like that Malik Willis is cooked."