With the Buffalo Bills not at the top of the AFC East division like they’re accustomed to, they allegedly tried to improve via trade and targeted two elite talents from inside the division ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline. One of those players just so happened to be arguably the Miami Dolphins’ best offensive player this season.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Bills offered a first-round pick and more in exchange for Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. However, the Dolphins turned that offer down.
Full details from The Insiders on @NFLGameDay: pic.twitter.com/DoWrUM6Nli
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 9, 2025
“The Bills did not make a trade before Tuesday’s deadline, but it was not for a lack of trying,” he said. “I am told the Bills made a run at multiple big targets within the AFC East, offering a first-round pick as part of a package to the Dolphins for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and to the [New York] Jets for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. In fact, I am told the Bills had the highest offer for Jaylen Waddle, but Miami wanted a first-round pick in 2026, not 2027, as part of the package. Ultimately, Miami decided that the Bills’ offer — which also included a third-round pick in 2026 — was not enough to move their star wide receiver.”
Perhaps the fact that the Bills have had the Dolphins’ number in recent years had something to do with them ultimately turning down the offer. The past seven times the two teams have faced off, the Bills have managed to come out victorious. To find the last time Miami has beaten Buffalo, one has to look back all the way to September of 2022, and the former just barely eked out a win in that contest.
Trading Waddle to the Bills probably would have only further strengthened a squad that has had a stranglehold on the division for several years now. Buffalo has earned the divisional crown in each of the previous five seasons.
On top of factoring in that the Dolphins and Bills play in the same division, it was probably the right move for Miami to hold onto Waddle past the trade deadline because of his great skill. He’s an elite receiver at the highest level and is on track to finish this season with quadruple digits in receiving yards. Moreover, with how young he is at just 26 years old, it’s reasonable to assume he has plenty more great receiving seasons left in the tank.
Waddle will have an opportunity in Week 10 to show the Bills what they missed out on by not being able to land him. The Dolphins are set to take on the Bills in an afternoon contest on Sunday, and they will look to win their third game of the season.
