NFL
Jaylen Waddle extends with the Dolphins: what’s in the contract?
Miami retain their star wide receiver, who was entering the final year of his rookie contract. Let’s look at the numbers.
The Miami Dolphins have agreed terms with wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who is set to sign a three-year contract extension with the franchise worth $84.75 million - $76 million of that guaranteed, ESPN reports. Tying the 25-year-old down to a long-term deal was at the top of the Dolphins’s list of priorities this offseason.
Waddle, who was drafted by the Dolphins as the No.6 pick in 2021, was entering the final year of his rookie contract and eligible to renegotiate terms. The Dolphins secured his fifth-year option for 2025 which means that in theory, this new extension won’t actually officially start until 2026. When it expires, Waddle will be a free agent in 2029.
Waddle’s first three years in Miami
Waddle opened his NFL career in style by posting three straight 1,000-yard seasons. Now, he has been handsomely rewarded for his efforts - quadrupling his annual salary from $6,771,498 to $28,250,000, making him one of the top five highest-paid receivers in the league. Last season, he registered 72 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games. During his time in Miami, Waddle has racked up a total of 251 receptions for 3,385 yards and 18 touchdowns.
He has been the team’s No. 2 receiver behind Tyreek Hill but with this new deal, Miami are clearly planning ahead. The franchise has been busy tweaking its roster over the past few weeks with the arrivals of Odell Beckham Jr. who joined a one-year deal worth up to $8.25 million back at the start of the month.
Defensive tackle Mario Kendricks followed after impressing in a rookie minicamp tryout. His Pro Day figures were impressive - 4.78 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 32.5-inch vertical jump, and 7.25-second three-cone drill. Also on board are offensive lineman Ireland Brown from Rutgers and cornerback Jason Maitre from Wisconsin.