The Denver Broncos had a chance to make a massive deal at the NFL trade deadline, but when it came down to brass tax they determined the price was too high.
Several reports linked the Broncos to superstar Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, November 4, but said the Broncos backed away when the price turned into a first round pick.
“The Broncos and a few other teams reached out to — and monitored — the Dolphins about WR Jaylen Waddle, but no deal will get done,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account. “Miami’s asking price was simply too high, per sources.”
“Dolphins wanted a 1st and more for Waddle, teams weren’t willing,” Broncos insider Benjamin Allbright wrote on his official X account.
Broncos Urged to Trade for Waddle
The DNVR Denver Broncos Podcast pitched Waddle as the player the Broncos should target ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, November 4.
“Waddle is the one for me,” DNVR’s Ryan Koenigsberg said on Monday, November 3. “And it goes back to what I said in the first segment about leveling up. Can you find a player, can you find a wide receiver who microwaves the levelinig up process? Each level is harder to get to … and I think that one of the ways the Broncos can help Bo Nix get to the next level is by getting a receive who’s at that next level.”
Waddle signed a 3-year, $84.75 million contract extension in May 2024, of which he’s still owed $78.615 million over the next 3 seasons.
Waddle has been one of the NFL’s best wide receivers since he was selected No. 6 overall by the Dolphins in the 2021 NFL draft out of the University of Alabama, where he played alongside fellow first round picks Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith.
He had 104 receptions as a rookie and started his career with 3 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons before career lows across the board in 2024 with 54 receptions, 700 yards and 2 touchdowns.
It’s important to point out the drop off wasn’t really Waddle’s fault.
Waddle missed 3 games due to concussions in 2024, the blame of which falls mostly on the shoulders of Miami’s terrible quarterbacks for putting him in dangerous situations.
In 2025, he has 41 receptions for 586 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Dolphins have stumbled to a 2-7 start — the reason Miami has become sellers at the trade deadline.
Broncos Will Make Do With Sutton, Et. Al
One thing that may have also figured into the Broncos’ decision not to pull the trigger on a trade may have been the fact they’re doing pretty darn good exactly with the way the roster is set up right now.
Headed into a Week 10 Thursday Night Football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Broncos are the NFL’s hottest team with a 7-2 record and on a 6-game winning streak.
Not getting Waddle means second year quarterback Bo Nix will have to make due with a group led by a high profile veteran in wide receiver Courtland Sutton along with a group of talented young wideouts led by rookie Pat Bryant, second year wide receiver Troy Franklin and 2-time NFL All-Pro return specialist Marvin Mims, who has seen his role evolve into a reliable target for Nix.
Report: Broncos Backed Away From Blockbuster Trade