Waddling Away? Dolphins Weigh a Rebuild
October 16, 2025
The Dolphins haven’t gotten off to the start they had hoped for in 2025. After their most recent string of losses to the Panthers and Chargers, the heat on Mike McDaniel’s seat is getting hotter. We have Tua going into press conferences and telling the world that guys aren’t showing up to meetings, then immediately walking it back with a half hearted explanation and apology. Now we have Jaylen Waddle coming up in trade talks just a little over a year after finalizing a three year extension?
Jaylen Waddle has been up and down for most of his Dolphins tenure. What started as a super promising career after setting the rookie record for receptions with 104 (eventually broken by Puka Nacua) and a fantastic sophomore season despite the addition of Tyreek Hill has been followed by much disappointment. In 2023 and 2024, Waddle certainly showed flashes of who he was, but it was seemingly always followed by a trip to the medical tent or dropped pass. Throw in all of the missed time with Tua and you have these receivers catching passes from Skylar Thompson, Teddy Bridgewater, Tim Boyle, etc.. You get it, it isn’t great.
After a disastrous 2024 posting 744 yards on 2 touchdowns, many fans were expressing their desire to move on. However, the recent loss of Tyreek Hill has brought Waddle back into the light, and he’s been shining once again. Now two weeks in with 205 yards through the air and a touchdown, he’s producing like the player we saw a few seasons ago. This blossoming of Waddle coincides with a Dolphins season that is headed down the drain with Miami potentially looking to sell off some of their pieces to enter a soft rebuild period.
The New York Giants are rumored to be the current front runners in acquiring Waddle. Is Miami really ready to enter discussions to let their star receiver go just as he’s recapturing his former greatness? Wherever he goes, I’ll still be a fan, and will be Waddling along with him in the endzone.
Keith, Author
Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.
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