Tyreek Hill shares excitement over Jaylen Waddle's contract extension
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill is chasing his own raise this offseason, but that isn’t stopping him from celebrating his teammate Jaylen Waddle‘s contract extension. Waddle inked a three-year extension for $84.75 million, which includes $76 million in guaranteed money. The new contract makes him one of the top-five highest-paid wide receivers in the league, joining Hill.
The former Alabama star’s extension, which nets him $28.25 million a year, has led to a new nickname at the Dolphins facility. Hill opened up about his excitement for Waddle at minicamp last week.
“It’s great,” Hill said. “It’s been awesome, man. Just to see his whole development from where he’s come from. When he first got here, there were a lot of things that needed to be cleaned up. And I was the same way too though… He’s done a great job of taking on some of the things, what I’ve been telling him. We have such a tremendous receiving coach in Wes Welker, he’s been listening to him also.
“Just to see him get paid, just to see him get recognized as one of the top guys in the league is awesome. Now his new nickname from me is 28, every time I see him I say, ‘What’s up, 28.’ It’s fun.”
Waddle recorded his third consecutive 1,000-yard season last year, and he did it in just 14 games as the Dolphins finished 11-6 on the year. Through three seasons, he has accumulated 251 catches, 3,385 yards and 18 touchdown receptions. He’s also added five receptions and 75 yards in postseason games.
Waddle, Hill advocate for Tua Tagovailoa’s payday
Having already secured his own extension, Waddle is now advocating for star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to get his payday. Tagovailoa is entering his fifth year in the league and as it stands, he’ll play on a fifth-year option that’s worth $23.17 million.
“Tua is my guy,” Waddle said. “I’ve been saying that for a long time. Without Tua, I don’t think I would’ve got the extension I got. So everybody is rooting for him. He’s our guy. Make sense, let’s get it done.”
So far in his career, Waddle, selected in the first round one year after Tagovailoa, has caught 209 passes from the starting quarterback. The duo’s connection has been a major part of the Dolphins’ success over the last three seasons.
Waddle isn’t alone in his calls for the former Alabama star to receive a hefty extension deal. Hill also spoke about how much Tagovailoa deserves his check this week.
“Tua should’ve been paid,” Hill said. “I’ve been saying that this all offseason. I know we have a great front office and they are going to get it done.
“A lot of people are comparing it to the Jared Goff situation and stuff like that. But I feel like Tua is supposed to be up there with some of them guys and passed some of them guys, because just understanding his story and just the progression of how he’s getting better each year and how he’s carrying this offense, it’s crazy.“
Last season, Tagovailoa was the league’s leader in passing yards. He also earned the right to start as the AFC’s quarterback at the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.