Sports · American Football · 5 hrs ago
Jaylen Waddle and Broncos struggle to find rhythm on offense
The Denver Broncos traded for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins this offseason, hoping his speed would add a deep threat to their offense.
Denver sent Miami draft picks, including first- and third-round selections, and received Waddle plus a fourth-round pick.
Waddle has produced little outside the game against Jacksonville, where he caught eight passes for 138 yards; in other games, his output has been low.
He has also dropped passes, and his catch rate and yards per reception are below his previous levels.
The Broncos' offense has struggled as a whole, and quarterback Bo Nix has not consistently connected with Waddle on longer throws.
The team was 3-2 ahead of a Thursday home game against the Seattle Seahawks, and coach Sean Payton said the offense needs to improve.
Denver needs to get Waddle more involved and improve its offense, but the accounts do not say whether it will make specific changes.
Denver’s offense and Jaylen Waddle have struggled to find a consistent connection since the Broncos acquired the wide receiver from Miami in March.
Waddle had 18 catches for 204 yards and a touchdown through five games, with most of that production coming in one game against Jacksonville, according to ESPN.
CBS Sports reported that through six games he had 22 catches for 228 yards and one touchdown, and had dropped four passes.
The Broncos’ offense has struggled more broadly, and coach Sean Payton said there were many things the team was not doing well.
Denver is trying to work out how to make better use of Waddle, who joined the team as its major offseason acquisition.
- Who
- Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and the Broncos’ offense.
- What
- Waddle and Denver have struggled to connect, limiting his production.
- When
- In the early part of the 2026 season.
- Where
- Denver, Colorado.
- Why
- The Broncos’ offense has struggled, and Waddle has also dropped passes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Denver acquired Waddle from the Miami Dolphins in a trade that included draft picks.
Denver had a difficult offensive performance, according to CBS Sports.
Waddle caught eight passes for 138 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Waddle dropped a pass in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, according to ESPN.
- Waddle’s ESPN totals
- 18 receptions, 204 receiving yards and one touchdown through five games
- Waddle’s CBS Sports totals
- 22 catches, 228 yards and one touchdown through six games
- Jacksonville game
- Eight catches for 138 receiving yards
- Trade
- Denver sent first- and third-round picks to Miami and swapped fourth-round picks
- Waddle’s drops
- Four through six games, according to CBS Sports
2 sources
What people are saying
I'm watching the film offensively and there are a ton of things we're not doing well right now,
He can just run by you, or his routes are so clean if you play off, he's going to catch it and turn it into something big.
Posts on X
Waddle also has more drops (5) than games with 20-plus receiving yards (2).
3rd & 8, First Down ends the game... Watch 17. Could Nix rip this in? Also... watch Waddle after the play from the second angle... not happy #BroncosCountry