ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Two former Alabama standouts are back together in the Mile High City as Jaylen Waddle and Pat Surtain II prepare for intense training camp battles with the Denver Broncos.
Following the completion of his trade from Miami to Denver, Waddle revealed Wednesday during a conference call that Surtain was among his first contacts.
“He was one of the first calls that I made,” Waddle explained. “We talked about this earlier in our careers, we wanted to get together and play with each other. Just seeing it happen, it’s special.”
Both players arrived at Alabama as part of the same 2018 recruiting class and spent three seasons together in Tuscaloosa, capturing a national title in 2020 before entering the NFL. Miami selected Waddle with the sixth overall pick in 2021, while Denver chose Surtain three spots later. The cornerback has since established himself among the league’s elite defenders.
Denver, the sole NFL franchise that hasn’t added an outside free agent this offseason, landed one of the fastest and most skilled receivers available through a major trade package that included three draft picks to Miami, featuring the 30th overall selection in next month’s draft.
According to Waddle, his former teammate kept details about the Broncos organization and head coach Sean Payton to himself during their recent discussions.
“Not too many details. (But) we kept in contact through the years when Coach Payton has been here,” Waddle noted. “He’s been keeping me in the loop without even knowing.”
While Waddle possesses the credentials of a top-tier receiver, he avoided claiming that designation for himself.
“I don’t think there are No. 1s,” he stated. “Everyone is here to make plays and try to win. That’s ultimately the goal for the team and for the organization.”
The addition of Waddle provides developing quarterback Bo Nix with another offensive weapon alongside Courtland Sutton, enhancing a passing attack that ranked 11th league-wide last season.
Waddle’s presence also creates Denver’s first legitimate top receiving tandem since Emmanuel Sanders joined the team in 2014 and partnered with the late Demaryius Thomas to help drive the franchise to a Super Bowl victory ten years ago.
Despite earning the AFC’s top seed last season, the Broncos fell to New England in a snowy AFC championship contest without Nix, who suffered an ankle fracture during their divisional round victory over Buffalo.
Waddle seems well-suited for a team culture that emphasizes character over ego, aligning with the philosophy emphasized by Payton, general manager George Paton, and owner Greg Penner regarding roster construction.
When asked about his aspirations for 2026, Waddle focused entirely on team success rather than individual achievements.
“I wouldn’t say nothing personal. I would say for the team, just take it week-by-week. Just try to go out there and play a good brand of football and try to stack some wins together,” he said.
The 27-year-old receiver represents the opposite of the stereotypical demanding wideout, reserving competitive fire for game situations while displaying modesty in interviews.
“I honestly think it was just the way I was brought up,” he reflected. “My mom and dad obviously tried to do a good job as best they could with keeping me not too high, but not too low. So just staying at a good head space.”
Though Waddle headlines a receiving corps that includes Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, Pat Bryant, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey, he emphasized mutual learning opportunities.
“I’m excited to learn from them and for them to learn from me. It should be fun,” he said.
After posting three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to start his professional career, Waddle hasn’t reached that milestone since 2023.
“I don’t look at it as that standpoint of getting back to where I was,” Waddle explained. “I just look at it as a new opportunity to go out there with a new team in a great place, play along great talent and help out as best I can.”
Waddle plans to rely on Surtain’s guidance for community involvement opportunities, similar to his Miami work where he developed a close relationship with young cancer patient Rocco Passaro during his leukemia battle from 2022-23.
“I’m definitely going to get in the community and do something,” Waddle promised. “I know ‘PS2’ is going to help me find different things to get into. I know he does a lot of good things out here. Rocco is definitely someone that is special. We have a special a bond, and I think that’s just going to continue (no matter) where I play at. He has family in me on his side.”
