The Denver Broncos brought Bo Nix a new WR1 on Tuesday morning, and it's a former Alabama Crimson Tide star whom Nix's Auburn Tigers battled for two years in the 2019 and 2020 Iron Bowl matchups.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, "Broncos are trading for Miami WR Jaylen Waddle, per source. Denver receives: Waddle and Dolphins’ 4th-round pick (11th in round) in this year’s draft. Miami receives: Broncos’ 1st round pick (30th overall) along with their late 3rd and 4th round picks (30th in each round) in this year’s draft."
The Miami Dolphins are making major organizational changes, trading many of the remnants of the Mike McDaniel era this offseason. Jaylen Waddle is merely the latest, with former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also being shoo'd away by the Phins front office.
The Broncos, meanwhile, just became the definitive top contender in the AFC by giving Nix a true WR1. Despite the Dolphins being in disarray for much of the 2025 season, Waddle still had 64 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns. With Nix, in a competent offense under Sean Payton and Davis Webb, Waddle's numbers could see a drastic uptick.
Jaylen Waddle and Bo Nix became Iron Bowl legends in 2019
Waddle had four touchdowns and 230 all-purpose yards during the 48-45 Auburn win at Jordan-Hare Stadium back on November 30, 2019. In 2020, Waddle missed the Iron Bowl and most of the season with an ankle injury, missing the 2020 Iron Bowl in front of a 20%-capacity Bryant-Denny Stadium crowd. Still, he went No. 6 overall to the Miami Dolphins in the 2021 NFL draft after returning in the CFP title game against the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Nix actually had fewer yards (217) and touchdowns (two) than Waddle in the one matchup they were both healthy for, but he got the win. 2020 was a different story for Nix, who had no touchdowns, negative rushing yards, and two interceptions against the Crimson Tide defense.
Nix and Waddle don't have a ton of history and, of course, never played head-to-head as offensive players. Still, there's a nostalgic element of the Iron Bowl rivalry that could bring camaraderie in the Mile High City this fall and beyond.
Regardless of how their careers played out in the Yellowhammer State afterwards, Nix and Waddle were two of the biggest stars of the 2019 Iron Bowl. That game will be remembered forever in Lee County, Alabama. You can argue Auburn football hasn't been the same since.