'What’s 1,000 Yards If It’s Not a Winning Season' : Jaylen Waddle’s Focus is Clear for 2025 NFL Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dean Koutouratsas | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 6:09 PM ET

After winning only two of their first eight games in 2024, the Miami Dolphins ended the season 8-9 and failed to clinch a playoff spot.

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had the least productive of his four seasons in the NFL, missing two games and finishing with 58 receptions for 744 yards and two touchdowns. That ended his streak of three straight 1,000-yard seasons to begin his career. But the 26-year-old made his intentions clear for this season.

“What’s the Point of Having a Great Individual Season Without Going to the Playoffs and Making a Run?”

After Saturday’s practice during the Dolphins' training camp in Miami at the Baptist Health Training Complex, Waddle spoke to reporters about how his mindset has changed following a down season.

“What’s 1,000 yards if it’s not a winning season,” he said. “I think it all goes back to team success. What’s the point of having a great [individual] season without going to the playoffs and making a run?”

Jaylen Waddle on his mindset going into a bounce back season: "What's 1,000 yards if it's not a winning season. I think it all goes back to team success. What's the point of having a great [individual] season without going to the playoffs and making a run." (@MiamiDolphins)… pic.twitter.com/S4X1odFJDi
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) August 2, 2025

Waddle claimed he has been working on becoming a more effective team player who can help his teammates block opposing defenders during plays.

“I’m just trying to help my team win because I think that’s good,” he added. “[People] get lost with so much individual success and not so much team success.”

The Dolphins Haven’t Seen Much Playoff Success

The last time Miami won a playoff game was on Dec. 30, 2000, when they took down the Indianapolis Colts 23-17 in overtime. They have made the postseason five times since then but haven’t made it past the wild-card round.

The Dolphins' most recent playoff loss came against the Kansas City Chiefs, 26-7 in January 2024. The team aims to get back to the postseason if quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can stay on the field and lead a prolific offensive attack with wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Waddle.

Miami has reached the playoffs twice in four seasons since drafting Waddle with the No. 6 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has recorded 75 receiving yards and 17 rushing yards in two playoff games.

The Dolphins' season opener is Sept. 7 against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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