Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle trade demands confused teams at NFL deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Miami Dolphins, after their Week 9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and the mutual departure of Chris Grier, were viewed as sellers at the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
Intermin GM Champ Kelly did trade one player, Jaelan Phillips, to the Philadelphia Eagles for a third-round pick. But their demands for Jaylen Waddle were a bit different.
According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Dolphins had different asking prices depending on the team for Waddle. Their trade deadline intentions confused teams around the NFL, according to Fowler.
Dolphins confused NFL teams at trade deadline amid Jaylen Waddle talks
“The Steelers, the Giants, and others either had interest or would have had interest if not for the steep price tag, which, depending on what team you asked,” Fowler reports, “fluctuated between a first-round pick or a one-plus.”
“Some teams had a tough time getting a read on Miami’s intentions at the deadline,” Fowler writes, “which is understandable four days removed from general manager Chris Grier’s firing.”
Miami had differing asking prices for Waddle at the trade deadline. But the minimum price tag of a first-round pick was too rich for many teams around the NFL to give up for Waddle.
Waddle is on a three-year, $84.75 million deal that has the 26-year-old receiver locked up through 2028, or his age-30 season.
So far this season, Waddle has 41 receptions for 586 yards and four touchdowns. He’s the Dolphins’ number one option with Tyreek Hill out for the year.
More: What did the Dolphins get in return for Jaelan Phillips? Full trade details on deal with Eagles
While trading a top option like Waddle wouldn’t have come cheap, the Dolphins were listening to offers. But those offers didn’t meet their expectations, and Miami held onto Waddle.
Teams around the NFL, as Fowler reports, didn’t get an understanding of the Dolphins’ perspective. While asking for at a minimum a first-round pick, the Dolphins changed the demands slightly depending on the team.
It makes sense, as the New York Giants’ first-round pick would likely be high, while the Pittsburgh Steelers’ or Denver Broncos‘ first-round pick would be in the middle, or near the end of the first round.
But, regardless of whether their demands were reasonable or not, the Dolphins’ trade deadline plans confused teams around the NFL. Miami only made one trade, despite receiving plenty of interest in Waddle, among others.
More Dolphins News:
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- Miami Dolphins’ updated list of 2026 NFL draft picks after Jaelan Phillips trade
