Aaron Brewer had strong reaction to Dolphins trading Jaylen Waddle to Broncos

New Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is in the early days of a roster rebuild that has involved the Dolphins moving on from multiple big-name talents this offseason. 

Perhaps most surprisingly, the Dolphins traded wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and a 2026 fourth-round draft pick to the Denver Broncos in return for a 2026 first-round choice, a third-rounder and a fourth-rounder back in March. During a recent appearance on "The Set" program, Dolphins center Aaron Brewer acknowledged that he was stunned to learn that Waddle was no longer his teammate. 

Aaron Brewer was "shocked" by Jaylen Waddle trade

"My initial reaction is I'm just shocked. I'm shook," Brewer explained, per Kevin Patra of the NFL's website. "I'm like, what are we doing? But then at the same time, I'm happy for my brother. It's always a family perspective, like, yeah, I want to have the best team we can have, but I love when people go to a different position, and I always wish the best for them. So, I hope he's fine."

While Waddle is now with a team that played in the AFC Championship Game this past January, Brewer is part of a Miami side that some believe is already planning to "tank" the 2026 season with the 2027 NFL Draft in mind. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, pass-rusher Bradley Chubb and wide receiver Tyreek Hill are among the other noteworthy players who have been discarded by the Dolphins this offseason. 

Aaron Brewer challenges teammates regarding responses to offseason moves

"Then my next thought right after that, like, 'OK, what are we finna do?'" Brewer continued. "What are we doing in that wide receiver room? Who is the next man up? So, every time with something like that, I'm looking at the people we've still got. Because when you see something like that, you've got to put something on your shoulder. That's an extra chip. You see an opportunity." 

The Dolphins gave quarterback Malik Willis quite an opportunity when they signed him to a three-year, $67.5M contract even though the 2022 third-round draft pick has made just six career regular-season starts as a pro. Willis will need plenty of help from those around him to play at a level that would keep the club from drafting his eventual replacement next spring. 

"I'm trying to see how these players that we do have, how are you going to fill these shoes? What's your mindset now? Are you going to pick up the weight and carry that torch and keep it pushing? ... That's my perspective on it right now," Brewer added.