New Miami Dolphins QB calls trade of Jaylen Waddle ‘unfortunate’

The Miami Dolphins made a major splash in free agency this March by signing quarterback Malik Willis to lead the offense for the 2026 campaign. However, the roster underwent a significant shakeup shortly after, as the Dolphins traded their standout receiver, Jaylen Waddle, to the Denver Broncos. The move left the new Miami signal-caller acknowledging the void left by the former Alabama star.

A High Bar to Clear

During his tenure in Miami, Jaylen Waddle established himself as one of the franchise's most productive playmakers. Since arriving from Alabama as the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Waddle climbed to sixth in team history for receiving yards and eighth in both receptions and touchdown catches. Last season alone, he hauled in 64 passes for 910 yards and six scores.

Reflecting on the departure, Willis admitted the loss of such a weapon was a blow. "It was unfortunate, for sure, to say the least," Willis said this week. "That’s a really good player, and I would have loved to play with him. But that’s above my pay grade, out of my hands."

New Faces, Fresh Competition

The current state of the Dolphins' receiving corps highlights just how much Waddle's production will be missed. The 11 wide receivers on the current offseason roster combined for only 79 catches, 888 yards, and six touchdowns across the entire league in 2025.

Despite the changes, Miami offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is focused on the group at hand. "I enjoyed working with him... but I’m really focused on who we have here now," Slowik said. The roster features new arrivals such as former South Alabama standout Jalen Tolbert, who signed after a stint with the Dallas Cowboys, and a youthful contingent of four rookies, including third-round draft picks Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, and fifth-round pick Kevin Coleman Jr.

Wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert emphasized that with a new staff and front office, the slate is clean for everyone. "No one’s entitled to anything here," he noted, adding that the team is prioritizing competition through equal reps in practice.

Building Chemistry in OTAs

As the team pushes through the OTA portion of their offseason program, Willis is focused on developing timing and chemistry with his new targets. Willis emphasized that the learning process is continuous. "It’s just reps and understanding the timing each person," he explained. "This guy gets out of the breaks a little quicker than this guy. This guy likes the ball out in front... it's just continuing to get those [reps]."

The transition in Miami is part of a broader salary-cap reset and overhaul that also saw the departure of veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. For now, the coaching staff is impressed with the energy Willis brings to the facility. "He infuses everybody with a lot of energy," Slowik said of the former Auburn quarterback.

Willis, stepping into his first primary leadership role after four years as a backup, remains grounded about the task ahead. "It’s about building trust," Willis said. "You got to earn that. And that’s from top to bottom."

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