Fantasy football players who benched new Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle after Week 1 must regret it.
After logging one reception for two yards in a 31-10 Week 1 road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, former Miami Dolphin Waddle finally showed why the Broncos traded three picks in the 2026 NFL Draft (including a first-rounder) to land him. In a 20-13 home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the WR caught eight passes for 138 yards.
The Broncos gave the wideout a well-deserved game ball following the win. Fellow WR Courtland Sutton thinks that won’t be the last game ball for Waddle.
Courtland Sutton, Patrick Surtain II speak on Jaylen Waddle’s impact
“I think that’s just the tip of the iceberg for [Waddle], we have more plays in our back pocket that we didn’t even get to,” Sutton said postgame.
“I’ve been just cheesin’… I think that’s just the tip of the iceberg for [Waddle], we have more plays in our back pocket that we didn’t even get to get to”
Courtland Sutton on Jaylen Waddle’s huge game pic.twitter.com/T0TcCb8mfD
— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) September 21, 2026
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevens) September 21, 2026
It’s fair to wonder what plays Denver (1-1) has in its back pocket. If they resemble Waddle’s 49-yard catch in the second quarter of the win over the Jaguars (1-1), the Broncos’ bland offense will become much more entertaining.
— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) September 20, 2026
In 2025, the Broncos reached the AFC Championship Game after going 14-3 in the regular season but ranked 29th in the league in yards per pass attempt (6.3). Over the past two weeks, that mark has improved to 7.1 yards per attempt (No. 17 in the NFL). The figure could keep increasing if Denver starts running those reserved plays Sutton discussed. Broncos cornerback Surtain thinks it’s a matter of time before they do.
“It’s just the beginning for [Jaylen Waddle],” he said postgame.
“It’s crazy, that’s what to expect each and every week” ️
Pat Surtain got asked 2xs about Jaylen Waddle after he balled out vs the Jaguars. Made it clear:
Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.“It’s just the beginning for [Jaylen Waddle]” pic.twitter.com/vSTMjFxL50
— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) September 21, 2026
The Broncos (1-1) hope Waddle proves Surtain correct in a Week 3 home game against the Los Angeles Rams (0-1). If the WR delivers another monster performance, Denver could earn another victory in a “Sunday Night Football” matchup and solidify itself as an early Super Bowl contender.
Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.
