NFL Rumors: Broncos Nearly Landed Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle

November 05, 2025 ,

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle runs a touchdown in during 2025 game.

The Denver Broncos were more active behind the scenes than their quiet trade-deadline day suggested. 

Multiple reports indicate Denver “reached out” and monitored Miami Dolphins star Jaylen Waddle, with genuine interest in adding the explosive wideout before Tuesday’s cutoff. 

Ultimately, Miami’s ask, described by several insiders as a first-round pick “and more, proved too rich, and talks never advanced to a deal. 

Broncos Came Close to Landing Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle

Head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix both backed the decision to hold firm. “We’re invested in and like this group and where we are going,” Payton said, while Nix echoed that the offense has “all the pieces” and didn’t need to “shake things up” to keep winning. 

Denver will roll into the second half with Courtland Sutton, rookie Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims, Pat Bryant and Trent Sherfield as its five-man receiver room.

Waddle, 26, remains under contract with Miami through 2028 and has produced at a high clip when healthy (41 catches, 586 yards, 4 TDs in nine games this season; 3 straight 1,000-yard campaigns to open his career). 

His 2025 cap number was manageable for Denver, but giving up premium draft capital for a non-QB midseason was a line the Broncos wouldn’t cross. League buzz suggested other teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants, had interest or would’ve explored it if the price softened, especially after Miami’s front office changes added uncertainty around the Dolphins’ deadline posture.

Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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