The Miami Dolphins are currently in a major roster reset, and the Pittsburgh Steelers could use this as an opportunity to restart trade negotiations for Jaylen Waddle.
One of the biggest responsibilities for Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was to immediately clean up the roster and get the team out of cap hell. Sullivan has already done so by releasing wide receiver Tyreek Hill and two others.
Tua Tagovailoa remains the last majorly big contract to figure out, but the Dolphins may not be done with roster changes. More players could be on their way out, such as All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and even wide receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Waddle was named a building block for this Dolphins team, but a team that could be high on trying to offer a trade for the young receiver is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Per insider Mark Kaboly, the Steelers were close to landing Waddle at the trade deadline, and they could try to reopen those negotiations.
The Steelers are in desperate need of wide receiver help, as DK Metcalf is the only viable weapon for whatever quarterback will be under center in 2026. More is needed, and considering the Dolphins are in the midst of a full rebuild, they may be more keen to listen to offers.
The only real reason the Dolphins would send Waddle to another team is if they were likely offered something in the tune of a first-round pick and more. There is no telling if the Steelers did offer that but Kaboly indicated the Pittsburgh front office nearly had a deal in place.
"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," 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."
Kaboly does indicate that Waddle is not on the trade block, which is true. He also indicated to Terron Armstead that he was shocked to learn he was part of conversations back in November, which basically means he has no interest in playing elsewhere.
That does not mean the Dolphins will not listen to trade offers. Should a team view Waddle as their missing piece and offer a package that includes a first-round pick, the receiver could be on his way to playing for a new team.
Waddle is due $11.6 million in 2026 and another $33 million in 2027. Granted, that number would likely come way down with a contract restructure, but the Dolphins would absorb a $23 million dead money hit if they traded him.
The Steelers need a wide receiver, but Waddle's contract and the Dolphins' asking price might make the situation far less fluid. Still, nothing seems to be off limits for Miami in their clear reset, and Steelers general manager Omar Khan is no stickler when it comes to making deals.