Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle joined the list of NFL players getting paid big time this offseason.
The Pro Bowler reportedly inked a three-year, $84.75 million contract extension on Thursday. The deal calls for $76 million in guarantees.
Waddle, 25, has more than earned it since being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He’s been brilliant through three seasons in South Beach.
- Jaylen Waddle stats (2021-23): 251 receptions, 3,385 yards, 18 TD
Waddle is the latest wide receiver to earn a massive contract since the 2023 NFL season came to an end.
Related: Highest paid players in the NFL
Jaylen Waddle contract and other offseason deals for wide receivers
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: 4 years, $120 million
- A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles: 3 years, $96 million
- Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans: 4 years, $92 million
- Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins: 3 years, $84.75 million
- DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles: 3 years, $75 million
- Nico Collins, Houston Texans: 3 years, $72.75 million
Talk about players at this position being paid at an incredibly high clip. That promises to continue moving forward in the offseason with other wide receivers set to earn massive contract extensions.
Related: Are the Minnesota Vikings waiting for a Justin Jefferson trade offer?
4 NFL players in line for huge contracts ahead of 2024 season
- Justin Jefferson, wide receiver, Minnesota Vikings: This one is about as obvious as it gets. Jefferson is also likely to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL when he ultimately inks a new deal with Minnesota. This means that he’s looking at north of the $34 million per season edge rusher Nick Bosa is earning with the San Francisco 49ers.
- Dak Prescott, quarterback, Dallas Cowboys: We know full well that talks between Prescott and the Cowboys have not nescessarily gone swimmingly this offseason. However, Dallas really is between a rock and a hard place here. Prescott can hit NFL free agency next offseason. The Cowboys can’t place the franchise tag on him. Look for the two sides to come to terms on an agreement that will make Prescott the highest-paid player in the NFL. That is to say, above the $55 million fellow quarterback Joe Burrow is earning with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Related: Highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL
- Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback, Dallas Cowboys: Now that the Dolphins have extended Waddle, the next order of business has to be the quarterback position. Tua is set to enter the fifth-year opton on his rookie deal at $23.17 million. Say what you want about the former first-round pick out of Alabama. But he’s much more valuable than that. Over the course of the past two seasons for Miami, Tagovailoa has put up 8,172 yards with 54 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
- Patrick Surtain, cornerback, Denver Broncos: Eligible for an extension for the first time in his career this offseason, Surtain had been bandied about in trade rumors. It is not happening. He’s among the best all-around cornerbacks in the NFL (59.3 % completion, 88.2 QB rating last season). Surtain is still only 24 years old. He’ll reset the cornerback market ahead of the 2024 season starting.