MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., June 4 (UPI) — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle says he doesn’t think he would have received his $84.75 million contract extension without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s help.
Waddle’s deal came as Tagovailoa continues to negotiate for his own, lucrative extension with the franchise. Tagovailoa and the entire Dolphins roster were present for the first day of mandatory minicamp Tuesday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
“Tua’s my guy,” Waddle said at the Baptist Health Training Complex. “I’ve been saying that for a long time, without Tua, I don’t think I would have gotten the extension I got.
“I know everybody’s rooting for him. He’s our guy, so it make sense to get it done.”
The Dolphins watched several key veterans bolt in free agency as they to balance their checkbook and massage finances — while securing key players — to stay within the limits of the league’s salary cap.
By paying Waddle, the franchise sent a clear message about prioritizing its offensive weaponry — potentially to the detriment of other vital positions.
Waddle ($28.2 million) and fellow Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill ($30 million) rank inside the Top 5 at the position in terms of the average annual value of their full contracts. Only five other NFL teams have two wide receivers with average annual values inside the Top 25.
Tagovailoa is expected to receive in excess of $50 million with his new pact, which he said he hopes to be completed by training camp. The fifth-year quarterback, who led the league in passing yards in 2023 and passer rating in 2022, said there has been “a lot of progress” in talks between his agents and the Dolphins.
“I’m not frustrated … another word,” Tagovailoa said Tuesday. “I just want to get something done. Not concerned, probably antsy in a way. This is the nature of the beast. This is how it goes.”
Hill, Waddle and other Dolphins playmakers said that Tagovailoa has increased his desire to get them together, outside of the team facility, to throw passes and build rapport.
Several legendary quarterbacks, including Tom Brady, previously participated in in similar gatherings en route to Hall of Fame careers.
“Tua is doing a great job of orchestrating that,” Hill said. “That’s a beautiful thing because our first year we were doing it here and there. This year, like we’re like he’s really honing in on the guys hanging out and building that camaraderie with each other.”
Hill mentioned a potential contract restructuring Tuesday, when asked about remaining a Top-5 highest-paid wide receiver amid a slew of new deals for other pass catchers. He also said his his prioritizes being a “Dolphin for life” over maximizing his personal financial interests.
The NFL’s 2023 receiving yardage leader, who frequently supported Tagovailoa publicly, also expressed his eagerness to see the quarterback finalize his extension. He said he believes Tagovailoa should be paid among the highest quarterbacks in the NFL because of his potential.
“Tua should have been paid,” Hill said. “I’ve been saying this all off-season, man I know we got a great front office with [general manager Chris Grier] and [Senior Vice President Brandon] Shore, and they are going to get it done.”
But while the Hill-Tagovailoa connection may receive the most national attention, the Dolphins’ offense often spikes when Waddle is more involved.
Miami was 6-0 during coach Mike McDaniel’s tenure when Waddle secured at least seven catches, compared to a 12-8 mark during than span when Hill had at least seven receptions.
The Dolphins also went 12-3 in games in which Waddle scored a touchdown, triggering his penguin-inspired end zone celebrations.
Waddle posted a then-rookie record 104 catches in 2021, but Tagovailoa and McDaniel helped orchestrate and offense that better capitalized on his explosiveness in 2022, when he led the NFL with 18.1 yards per catch.
Waddle said Hill’s mentorship also aided his evolution into one of the most feared playmakers in the league.
“When I first got here, there were a lot of things that needed to be cleaned up,” Hill said of Waddle. “And I was just the same way, a young pup, but very explosive, fast and can can move with some of the best.
“So just just to see him get paid just to see him, you know, get recognized as one of the top guys in his league, is awesome.
“So now his new nickname from me is ’28,’” referring to his $28.2 million salary. “Every time I see him, I say: ‘What’s up, 28?’”
After more than three months removed from a devastating national championship loss, over 5,000 fans gathered at Cobb Stadium on Saturday morning for a first look at Miami football’s 2026 squad.
The annual spring game offered exactly that: a mix of evaluation and entertainment. Miami structured the day differently this year, using the first half for position drills, including passing, red zone and agility work, before transitioning into a live scrimmage in the second half.
Much of the attention centered on new quarterback Darian Mensah, a transfer from Duke. While he started slow, Mensah quickly settled in and showed why he’s expected to lead the Hurricanes this fall.
Mensah connected multiple times with familiar target Cooper Barkate, his former teammate at Duke. The duo picked up right where they left off, highlighted by a 29-yard touchdown to the back corner of the end zone. Mensah added a 33-yard touchdown pass to Daylyn Upshaw and a five-yard score to Cam Vaughn, another transfer addition.
Calm in the pocket and effective under pressure, Mensah extended plays and delivered accurate throws, flashing the kind of playmaking ability Miami fans have been eager to see.
With several returning starters such as wide receiver Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher seeing limited action, opportunities opened for younger players to contribute. RB Jordan Lyle capitalized, breaking off multiple strong runs and showing quick footwork in the open field.
Behind Mensah, Miami showcased its quarterback depth. Judd Anderson, Luke Nickel and early enrollee Dereon Coleman all saw snaps, with Nickel making a strong case for the backup role. Coleman flashed potential but remains a longer-term development piece.
Defensively, Miami may have delivered the most impressive performance of the day.
Despite losing key contributors such as Ruben Bain and Akheem Mesidor to the NFL, the Hurricanes controlled the line of scrimmage and limited offensive production. Defensive lineman Damon Wilson, a transfer from Missouri, along with tackles Justin Scott and Jarquez Carter, consistently disrupted plays. Scott’s quickness stood out against the run, while Wilson applied steady pressure off the edge.
In the secondary, Boston College transfer Omar Thornton, along with JJ Dunnigan and Xavier Lucas, contributed to multiple stops with tight coverage and physical tackling.
The offensive line, featuring several new faces and only one returning starter, showed flashes but remains a work in progress. Freshman Jackson Cantwell has big shoes to fill with Sisi Mauigoa declaring for the NFL draft. At 6-foot-8, 330 pounds, Cantwell acted as a brick wall protecting his QB and winning the battle at the line. However, the second team offensive line had some struggles, with two bad snaps in a row.
For many in attendance, however, the spring game was about more than just performance. It served as a rare opportunity for families and fans to connect with the program in a more personal setting, celebrating players beyond what they show on the field.
“It’s him fulfilling his dream and doing what he wants to do,” said the grandmother of wide receiver Milan Parris. “He’s my oldest grandson, and I’m just over the moon. I’m extremely proud of him.”
While the defense may have controlled much of the action, the day ultimately served as an early glimpse into a team balancing new talent, developing depth and high expectations.
With nearly five months until the season opener against Stanford on Sept. 4, Miami leaves the spring with promise and plenty to still refine.
Argentine forward’s brace included the match winner against Colorado Rapids in front of over 75,000 fans in Denver.
Published On 19 Apr 2026
Lionel Messi scored a brace and German Berterame headed another as Inter Miami earned a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Saturday in Denver.
Messi scored the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute. He started a run just inside midfield and went unchallenged until the box, where he blasted into the upper left corner for a 3-2 lead.
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Rafael Navarro and Darren Yapi each scored for Colorado (4-4-0, 12 points) in front of 75,824 at Empower Field, the second-largest crowd in MLS history.
Miami (4-1-3, 15 points) took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute after Colorado goalkeeper Zack Steffen’s pass was intercepted by Yannick Bright. Josh Atencio offered a hard challenge and was shown a yellow card after video review.
Messi took the resulting penalty and rolled his shot straight down the middle as Miami took a 1-0 lead.
Colorado had a solid look at the goal when midfielder Wayne Frederick attempted a one-touch lob. Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair was out of position and well beyond the penalty arc after heading away a loose ball, but Frederick’s attempt sailed over the open net.
In the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, Miami extended their lead to 2-0, connecting on a series of passes deep in their attacking third. Messi got the run of play started with a tight touch pass to Rodrigo De Paul.
De Paul sent Mateo Silvetti on a run to the boundary line. His inward-spinning cross floated to the front of goal, where Berterame rose above the Colorado defence and tucked a header under the bar.
Navarro’s goal cut Miami’s lead to 2-1. He started a run in midfield and used a step-over move to get an open shot a few steps into the box that tucked inside the left post past a diving St. Clair in the 58th minute.
In the 62nd minute, second-half substitute Yapi settled on a direct pass from Lucas Herrington and sizzled a shot past St. Clair for the equaliser.
Miami closed the win playing a man down as Yannick Bright was sent off with a red card in the 87th minute.
The Cleveland Browns traded for an extended right tackle, former Houston Texan Tytus Howard, at the start of free agency as they began their rebuild of the offensive line that was awful in 2025. But Howard has played every position on the offensive line except for center, so if it’s all about getting your best five on the field, which it should be, there’s a chance Howard doesn’t play at right tackle in 2026.
While doing a mock draft on Peter Schrager’s podcast, former Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon had the Browns drafting Miami (FL) right tackle sixth overall. He talked about the issue with Howard, but said Mauigoa could either take over the tackle spot or be a really good guard.
Carthon said he knows that Mauigoa would be one of their best five, whether it is at guard or tackle. Some will say that a guy who may be best at guard isn’t worth the sixth overall pick, and I have to disagree. You should draft the best football players, and Francis Mauigoa is my highest-rated offensive lineman and seventh overall. It might be at guard, but I have a good feeling that Mauigoa will find a home in the NFL as a high-quality offensive lineman.
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