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Former Miami Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle commented on Achane's extension

When Jon-Eric Sullivan took over as Miami Dolphins general manager, he publicly identified the players he wanted to build around.

At the time, the players he named were Pro Bowl running back De’Von Achane, All-Pros Aaron Brewer and Jordyn Brooks, and left tackle Patrick Paul. Sullivan was then prompted to speak on wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, whom he praised, but would trade a few months later in exchange for draft capital from the Denver Broncos.

Following the trade, Sullivan revealed that the offer for Waddle was simply too good to pass up. Sullivan preferred two draft picks, including a first-round pick, over the receiver who had produced three 1,000-yard seasons. However, the same was not true for running back De’Von Achane, as Sullivan shut down trade talks involving him.

Now, following De’Von Achane’s contract extension with the Miami Dolphins, Achane’s former teammate, Jaylen Waddle has commented on the contract.

Jaylen Waddle Congratulates Miami Dolphins Running Back on Extension

Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle took to his Instagram story to congratulate his former teammate De’Von Achane, as he re-posted the NFL’s graphic of the extension with the caption, “Yessir Brudda!!! Proud of ya twin!!!”

The pair appeared to become close during the 2025 season, as they had become Miami’s most dynamic offensive playmakers, especially once wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a dislocated knee injury.

However, due to the team’s poor start, both players were in trade rumors ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. At the time Miami opted not to trade either player, which led Achane and Waddle to express that they were happy that neither was traded.

Despite eventually being traded, Waddle does not appear to hold any grudges with the Miami Dolphins organization or his former teammate.

Unlike Achane, Waddle was under contract with the Dolphins until the 2028 season as he signed an extension with the team prior to the 2024 season. However, his extension had not yet kicked in at the time of the trade. Miami preferred to move Waddle before his salary cap hit increased substantially. With Achane, the Dolphins were willing to make that commitment. 

De’Von Achane’s Extension

Achane’s extension always felt inevitable. As mentioned previously, Sullivan had identified the running back as a player he wanted to build Miami’s offense around. Achane is fresh off the best season of his career, and his four-year, $64 million extension means the Pro Bowl running back is under contract with the Dolphins through the 2030 season.

Regarding Achane’s extension, Dolphins on SI’s Alain Poupart wrote:

“Taking care of Achane always made sense for Miami considering he’s not only the team’s best player, he’s not even 25 years old yet.

While running backs indeed have a shorter shelf life than players at just about every other position, it’s not like Achane is on his last legs.

And while building draft capital and clearing cap space made sense when the Dolphins were moving on from big-name players in the offseason, Achane didn’t fit in that category because he should play a key role in getting the Dolphins where they want to go under new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and new head coach Jeff Hafley.”