Kelly: Have Dolphins fans seen the last of “The Waddle”?
Jaylen Waddle has had enough.
That’s why when the Miami Dolphins’ receiver caught Tua Tagovailoa’s quick-hitter at the 15-yard line and sprinted into the end zone on his 23-yard touchdown he surprisingly celebrated with a dance that had his arms outstretched while he shook his hips.
Waddle’s teammates surrounded him in the end zone of Sunday’s 34-15 win over the New England Patriots, standing there in confusion with their arms by their side ready to do “The Waddle,” which is the touchdown celebration he had used the previous three seasons, mimicking a Penguin’s waddle.
“It was getting out of hand. When I go out in public people are telling me to do it,” Waddle said about his now infamous Waddle celebration, which has become so popular even owner Steve Ross does it in his booth after Waddle’s scores. “I don’t know if it’s retiring, but it needs a break for a little minute.”
You’d think Waddle’s limited opportunities this season, which has led to just two touchdown scores in 11 games this season, would be enough of a break. But it seemingly hasn’t been, and to everyone’s surprise, Waddle’s claims to be more frustrated about the world’s reaction to “The Waddle” than he is about his lack of involvement in the passing game this season.
Tyreek Hill is clearly the focal point of the Dolphins offense. He’s the weapon teams game plan to limit.
Tight end Jonnu Smith is the offense’s new toy, the popular target who seemingly leapfrogged Waddle on the target list.
Coming into Sunday’s win, Waddle had been receiving the cold shoulder from Miami’s new offensive approach.
In a family structure they call it “middle child syndrome” because they get less attention from your parents and feel like you’re “caught in the middle.”
“Having an individually good game means nothing without a win,” said Waddle, who caught a season-high eight passes for 144 yards and one score against the Patriots.
“We have a lot of playmakers on the team. Somebody normally has a day. If it’s not [Jonnu] then it’s [Ty]reek or Achane. We got a lot of playmakers,” said Waddle, who has contributed 548 yards and two scores on 41 receptions this season. “That’s what makes this offense so great. We have guys that can make a play anytime.”
When asked about what many perceived as his growing level of frustration, Waddle sidestepped the question by pointing out that at the University of Alabama his college team had four receivers taken in the first round, and the ball was spread around plenty.
That’s where he first learned to share, and play his role.
“It can’t be like that,” Waddle said referring to a self-centered approach. “I was more frustrated by the losses than me having individual [struggles]. That’s a media thing.”
And that’s why Waddle took Sunday’s performance in stride, acting as if it weren’t a big deal.
“I didn’t have do any of that with J-Dub,” Tagovailoa said when asked if he had to ensure Waddle that he wasn’t the forgotten man.
“It was a matter of how the flow of the game went today, what [the Patriots] wanted to do,” Tagovailoa continued, referring to New England giving Miami a ton of single-safety high looks early in the first half. “Jaylen had his opportunities and made the most of those opportunities.”
Waddle still ranked fourth in the team with 41 receptions.
He trails Hill and Achane, who are tied for the team lead with 49 catches, and then Smith, who has one fewer than them.
But that doesn’t mean he isn’t as important at Miami’s other weapons, or hasn’t made drastic improvements on his game.
“Waddle has been taking his route running, his release work, the nuances of the receiver position, and has had so much growth over the last month and a half while also fielding questions left and right, whether it be from the media or even at home, where is the production, where is the production,” McDaniel said. “To get better when the ball isn’t coming your way so that you’re actually prepared when the ball does is everything I believe in.”
While Waddle remains far off pace of becoming the first Dolphins receiver to produce four straight 1,000 yard seasons, Sunday’s performance could help boost his overall numbers, if not confidence.
The last time Waddle contributed more than 100 receiving yards was his five catch for 109 yard performance in the season opener against Jacksonville.
Sunday was his 12th 100-receiving yard game, and the hope is it won’t be his last this season.
There’s also hope that we haven’t seen the last of “The Waddle,” but only time, and more touchdowns will determine that.
This story was originally published November 24, 2024 at 6:30 PM.
