Mark Schlereth on the Jaylen Waddle Trade and the AFC West Arms Race

The Denver Broncos made one of the biggest moves of the NFL offseason — trading for Jaylen Waddle. But does it actually change anything in the AFC West? In this episode, Trey Wingo is joined by his work wife Mark Schlereth to break down what the Jaylen Waddle trade really means for the Broncos, Bo Nix, and the balance of power in one of the most competitive divisions in football. Schlereth explains why Waddle gives Denver a dynamic weapon they didn’t have before, how Sean Payton’s offense could evolve, and whether this move is enough to close the gap on Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. They also dive into the bigger picture — including the Chargers’ offseason moves, the Raiders’ aggressive reset, and why the AFC West might be the most unpredictable division heading into the 2026 NFL season. In this conversation, we cover: Why the Broncos traded for Jaylen Waddle and what they gave up How Waddle fits into Sean Payton’s offensive system Whether Bo Nix can take the next step in Year 3 Why Denver still has key roster questions despite the move How the AFC West stacks up: Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos, Raiders Why the Chiefs may not have improved as much as their rivals The Chargers’ offseason strategy to protect Justin Herbert The Raiders’ aggressive rebuild and Maxx Crosby’s impact Why “one-score wins” aren’t sustainable for Denver How playoff teams are really built in today’s NFL This is a full breakdown of the Jaylen Waddle trade, the Denver Broncos’ outlook, and the AFC West arms race — with insight from one of the most experienced offensive linemen and analysts in football. If you’re looking to understand how this move impacts the playoff picture, this is the conversation you need to hear. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.