The Miami Dolphins declared today that Jaylen Waddle and Jaelan Phillips’ fifth-year options have been exercised. They will now be blocked through the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season and will be starting their fourth year of NFL play.
In order to guarantee both players’ careers in Miami for many years to come, Miami will be working on long-term extensions for both players between now and the end of the 2025 season. Recent wide receivers like Devonta Smith and AJ Brown signed new contracts with the Philadelphia 76ers in the last two weeks, so Waddle will be expecting a guaranteed salary of over $80 million.
There is no information available about the kind of contract Phillips is considering, and the fact that he is currently recovering from a serious injury might make him reluctant to commit to a new long-term agreement at this moment. It’s possible that he and his agent want to return to the field, put up some impressive stats, and attempt to cash in at a premium fee.
Both athletes were first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft and have made an impact ever since joining the league. Since joining the league, Waddle has racked up 251 receptions for 3,385 yards and 18 touchdowns. Before rupturing his Achilles tendon on Black Friday at MetLife Stadium during a game against the NY Jets, Phillips was poised to have an All-Pro season in 2023. He has amassed 22 total sacks over his first three seasons in the NFL.
Christian Wilkins signed with the Las Vegas Raiders over the offseason after his fifth-year option was picked up, leaving Miami. He rejected deals that the Dolphins organization offered him, took a chance on himself, and received a contract offer that was significantly higher than what Miami was prepared to pay.
Whether Waddle and Phillips adopt a similar strategy or whether Chris Grier manages to seal the deal and lock up Waddle and Phillips before it reaches that stage will be interesting to watch.
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