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MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 28: Jaylen Waddle #17 of the Miami Dolphins takes the field prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hard Rock Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
While the Miami Dolphins have quickly gotten rid of several key players, other teams are taking note, especially a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the release of Tyreek Hill, the Steelers hope to rekindle a flame in the hopes of signing a receiver they have had their eyes on for quite some time.
Jaylen Waddle, while shrugging off several reports of a requested trade, could still be on the table for several teams willing to give up certain assets. On the other side of things, the Dolphins should be willing to listen to offers as they look to begin their rebuild.
Draft Capital Could Drive Negotiations
The Steelers are certainly a team well-equipped to offer up some highly coveted draft picks. With 12 selections in the upcoming draft, the Dolphins could be highly intrigued and willing to do business. After all, it’s not like the Steelers haven’t been willing to make this move before.
“The one who’s very interesting to me, and I know he’s not on the block, but a lot of things are happening in Miami right now, is Waddle,” NFL insider Mark Kaboly said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan. “Because they were definitely interested in him last year at the deadline. Depending on who you believe, Miami pulled out at the last second, or they would have at least had an opportunity to acquire him.”
While he doesn’t explicitly mention the Steelers by name, it reminds everyone not only of what the Dolphins organization was probably thinking at the time, but also the Steelers. While the Steelers most likely will not start Aaron Rodgers next season, they can still boast about having one of the better WR1 options in the sport in DK Metcalf. By pairing Metcalf with Waddle, the Steelers would have one of the top WR duos in the entire league no matter who’s throwing them the football.
Risk, Production and Contract Considerations
The one concern about Waddle for the Steelers could simply be production. While he was behind Tyreek Hill on the depth chart, he only produced 1,624 yards receiving and eight touchdowns over 31 games for the Dolphins the past two years. Also, the Steelers may have to rework his contract, as he is in the middle of his last three years on his contract. Fortunately for them, he has no guaranteed money.
For both teams, this seems like a trade where the best case scenario comes about. For the Steelers, they get an elite second option at the position, and for the Dolphins, they can recoup the loss of a player like Waddle with a high value draft pick they can use to improve and rebuild the roster.
No matter what Dolphins fans think of the new regime, they have preached about a focus on foundation and building blocks as they look ahead at a new era for the franchise. Still, a move to potentially get younger, even if it means giving up a huge piece, could be the right move if that’s what they want.
Christopher Sheppard Christopher Sheppard is a passionate and knowledgeable sports journalist based in Englewood, NJ pursuing a role in the sports media industry. He covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, focusing on the Dolphins, Chargers, and Buccanneers. More about Christopher Sheppard
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