Miami Dolphins
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Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan shared his thoughts on trading Jaylen Waddle
The Miami Dolphins offseason plan has been all about improving their salary cap situation and focusing on long-term stability for the franchise. As a result, the Dolphins cut ties with most of their aging players, who carried large cap hits. Miami was willing to do those moves despite the amount of dead money they would take on. As things currently stand, the majority of Miami’s salary cap is mostly being used on players who are no longer on the roster.
Individually, most of Miami’s moves made sense on paper. The team’s roster does not seem like it’s on the verge of contention, meaning dedicating large amounts of the team’s salary cap to veterans was not a viable solution to the team’s issues. However, Miami then showed that the team was not taking any half-measures, and that they were fully dedicated to their rebuild as the team traded away 27-year-old star receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.
Waddle, who did not carry a massive salary cap hit in the 2026 season, was not expected to be moved this offseason. Many seemed to believe he was a part of Miami’s long-term plans as he had already been signed through the 2028 season. Despite this, new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan believed the team could be better by trading away the receiver. Now, Sullivan has spoken publicly on the reason Miami moved Waddle.
Miami Dolphins General Manager Shares True Feelings on Waddle Trade
Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan spoke with Mike FLorio and Chris Sims of Pro Football Talk, where he discussed the Jaylen Waddle trade. Regarding the reason for the trade,Sullivan said, “We have to get younger and cheaper. Jaylen is a really good player. Jaylen’s 27 years old, he’s going to want a new contract, and the wide receiver market is going up. By the time we hit our stride, I didn’t know that made a lot of sense for us. We get to put two players on rookie contracts.I felt like it was a win for both teams.”
EstablishTheRun’sAdam Levitan seemed to agree with Sullivan’s reasons as he posted on X,“This should be a no-brainer for any GM working with an owner who actually wants to win a Super Bowl. And is willing to eat some really bad years to optimize for that goal.
Don’t try to middle a rebuild. Understand Jaylen Waddle will be in decline by the time you’re competitive. Get valuable assets now, stomach the pain of winning 3-5 games, so hopefully you can win 13-15 later.”
Jaylen Waddle’s Dolphins Tenure
Waddle’s tenure with Miami is somewhat murky as he had undeniable success with the Dolphins, but after the team acquired All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill prior to Waddle’s second season, the former sixth-overall pick never had a chance of cementing himself as a true No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL.
With the Dolphins, he became the fastest player in franchise history to reach 5,000 receiving yards. He also has the fourth-best season by a Miami wide receiver as he totaled 1,356 receiving yards during the 2022 season, despite being behind Hill on the team’s depth chart.
After Hill suffered a dislocated knee injury, Waddle surpassed 85 receiving yards in five of the next six games. However, Waddle’s role would once again be diminished down the stretch as Miami prioritized the run game amid quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s struggles.