Waddle Big New Deal HAD to Be Done!
The Dolphins locked up their stud receiver for years to come!
The Miami Dolphins locked up Jaylen Waddle long-term with a mega extension of $84.75 million for a grand total of $109 million over the next 5 years. As you’ll see in the graphic below, the reality is the minimum this contract will amount to is about $82 over 4 years because the final year of these contracts rarely comes without adjustments. Of course, money is always moved around as a contract progresses, so we’ll see down the road if the $82 million floor raises. But, the great news is Miami has locked up a very talented player who is also a great person, so I love that Waddle won’t be moving on like Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt!
With the Xavien Howard money coming due the next on the list for a long-term deal is Tua!
Miami is spending a TON on pass catchers!
The Dolphins have a ton of money locked up into the receiver spot with Hill slated to count $31 million against the cap this season and $34 million next season. The Phins are allocating on their dynamic duo of Hill and Waddle a staggering $40 million this season and $54 million next season against the cap! Add in anywhere from $40-55 million for Tua annually and almost 40% of the Dolphins cap will be spent on the core of the passing game!
Over the Cap shows the real money involved:
That’s a ton of cash BUT…
Waddle is technically making $28.25 million a season, but you can see by the cap hit that it’s less than that. Still, that’s a ton of money and the annual average value ranks fourth highest in the NFL among wide receivers. But, the guaranteed money is the third behind A.J. Brown ($84 million) and Amon-Ra St. Brown ($77 million). you can bet with the best pay-per-head that the guaranteed money will increase as Chris Grier wants to free up money in the coming seasons.
Bottom line: the Dolphins had no choice but to sign Waddle, who is a fan favorite, star talent, and was acquired with two 1st-round draft picks. The only question is how long can and will the Dolphins keep the two together and will Hill want a raise? Contractually it seems like 2026 is the year they will break the relationship unless something dramatic happens between then and now.
We now have the highest-priced and fastest-receiver duo in the league… so, let’s see if they can get us to the promised land before the breakup! Go Phins!!!
Based on the history of this team, you can give him a hundred million a year and they may not even get into the playoffs. If they do they will lose the first round. History tells us this.
it’s possible… I think of them as finesse fighter. Looks beautiful when it’s going well, but not so much when it isn’t. Sorta’ fickle and tempermental in their approach. I prefer a different build model… but I’m hoping they get it right and know better than me, brother.