The Pittsburgh Steelers have positioned themselves as legitimate contenders in the AFC North with a 4-2 record through seven weeks, but their receiving corps still lacks the explosive depth needed for a deep playoff run. While DK Metcalf has provided the big-play threat they desperately needed after the George Pickens trade to Dallas, the wide receiver room behind him remains a concern. Roman Wilson continues to struggle finding his footing, and Calvin Austin III, while productive when healthy, has dealt with recurring injury issues.​

Enter Jaylen Waddle, the Miami Dolphins‘ dynamic playmaker who finds himself trapped on a sinking ship. At 1-6 and spiraling toward a full rebuild, Miami faces difficult decisions ahead of the November 4th trade deadline. While Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has called trade rumors “baseless,” the reality is that multiple teams have expressed interest in Waddle, with the Steelers among the top suitors. With Tyreek Hill out for the season and Tua Tagovailoa regressing significantly, Waddle’s prime years are being wasted in South Florida. Pittsburgh offers him an immediate path to contention alongside Aaron Rodgers and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s revitalized scheme.​​

Why Jaylen Waddle Makes Sense for Pittsburgh

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) runs against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium.
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers’ offensive identity under Arthur Smith centers around a power-run game complemented by explosive passing plays from 12 and 13 personnel packages. While this approach has shown promise, the team desperately needs another weapon who can threaten defenses vertically and create separation in the intermediate game. Waddle checks every box.​

Despite playing on a dysfunctional Dolphins offense in 2025, Waddle has posted 30 receptions for 405 yards and three touchdowns through seven games. His 13.5 yards per reception demonstrates he still possesses the speed and route-running prowess that made him a top-10 pick in 2021. More importantly, Waddle has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in three of his four NFL seasons, including a remarkable 1,356-yard, eight-touchdown campaign in 2022.​

For Pittsburgh, Waddle would provide the perfect complement to Metcalf’s physical, downfield presence. While Metcalf wins with size and contested catches, Waddle thrives in the slot and on crossing routes, using his elite acceleration to create separation. This versatility would give Rodgers a safety valve on third downs and allow Smith to deploy more diverse personnel groupings. Additionally, Waddle’s experience playing with elite quarterbacks—having starred alongside Tua at Alabama and in Miami—means he could seamlessly integrate into Pittsburgh’s offense without a steep learning curve.​

The Perfect Trade Package

The Steelers find themselves in an enviable position when it comes to draft capital for 2026. Thanks to compensatory picks and the George Pickens trade, Pittsburgh projects to have a whopping 12 selections next year, including multiple third, fourth, and fifth-round picks. This stockpile provides general manager Omar Khan with the ammunition to construct a compelling offer for Waddle without crippling the team’s future flexibility.​

Miami, facing a multi-year rebuild with question marks at quarterback and across their secondary, needs to accumulate quality draft assets to expedite their turnaround. The Dolphins will prioritize picks that can immediately contribute in 2026 and beyond, making mid-round selections particularly valuable. With this context in mind, here’s the perfect trade proposal that benefits both organizations:​