When the Denver Broncos traded for receiver Jaylen Waddle, it marked a unique first for coach Sean Payton.
The Denver Broncos are in uncharted waters now. Not only was last week’s trade for Jaylen Waddle totally unexpected, it was also coach Sean Payton’s first trade ever for a top wide receiver, according to Luca Evans of the Denver Post.
Evans did an extended profile of Waddle that delved into this issue as well as some of what he’ll be dealing with in Denver, including his attempt to recapture the “magic,” as Evans described it.
Waddle’s initial comments were on the bland side, but he’s close friends with cornerback Pat Surtain II, and it was Surtain’s father, who was also an NFL cornerback, who provided some interesting material on the path that led to this trade.
“When Tyreek was let go and then Tua was let go,” Surtain Sr. told Evans, “you kinda felt that the Dolphins were going in a different direction. They wanted to start anew. And the conversation would come up between us — me and Pat — about them getting Jay. And then Pat would say he’s talked to people about it, but that nothing’s come to fruition.”
It was his high school coach back in Texas, Steve Leisz, who provided some insights about what Waddle is really like on the field.
“Jaylen is very quiet off the field,” Leisz said he said in a section that described Waddle’s relationship with Surtain II. “And on the field? He is not quiet.
“So I can only imagine that first practice, when those two line up with each other — you’ll probably hear it in the stands.”
Surtain Sr. was a defensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins back in 2022, and he provided some insights about the specifics Waddle offers in the Denver offense.
“With Mike McDaniel’s offense, it was timing,” Surtain Sr. said, who was a defensive assistant for the Dolphins in 2022. “Because Tua was that kinda quarterback. Boom – get to his fifth step, let the ball go, Jay (on) in-breaking cuts. But I think it’s way more than that with Jaylen. I think he can run the whole route tree.
“Obviously, he’s a deep threat with his speed and explosiveness. He can run every route. And I think it’s going to be even more scary with Bo’s escapability … you’re going to see a lot of plays that break down where Jay gets open.”
Waddle fits the profile of a Sean Payton receiver in every category but size, which makes this deal especially intriguing given the fact that the Broncos receiver room is already loaded with smaller players. Leisz also made an intriguing comment about Waddle that could raise some issues given the camaraderie and continuity Payton has carefully developed in Denver.
“Don’t get me wrong, Jaylen’s a diva on the field,” Leisz said. “He wants the football. There’s no doubt about that.”