Tyreek

Hill

Hill again hinted at a trade over the weekend after nearly two months of silence on the subject. Following the Dolphins’ Week 18 game against the Jets, the veteran receiver strongly suggested he wanted to play elsewhere in 2025, only to have his agent say days later that he was “committed” to the team heading into next year. McDaniel added that he has no reason to believe Hill won’t be on the team, but we’ll see how things progress from here. Hill, 31, continues to come off as a disgruntled player despite McDaniel suggesting everybody is perfectly gruntled. We’ve seen this play before. The Dolphins appear to have too much riding on this year of their core to trade Hill, but as long as he keeps the rumors flowing, his return for the 2025 season will remain an open question.

Responding to a social media post calling him a major candidate for a draft-day trade, Hill quote-tweeted the post with the deuces emoji. Yes, this is how news looks in 2025. Hill has publicly flip-flopped on his trade-request stance since early January and the Dolphins had mostly appeared to settle the situation down. While the Dolphins would certainly prefer to have Hill on the roster, the front office may need to text Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus again and see how they should interpret this post. The veteran receiver has two seasons remaining on his contract.

Hill struggled through the nagging wrist issue for much of the 2024 season, his worst season as a pro. Hill, who expressed displeasure with the Dolphins late in the 2024 season, is expected to be ready for training camp. Unless Hill requests a trade in the coming months, he’ll once again operate as the clear No. 1 option for the Dolphins in 2025.

Speaking on Pro Football Talk, Hill took full responsibility for telling reporters he wants out of Miami. That state came just after he walked off the Dolphins’ sideline in the middle of their Week 18 game against the Jets. While Hill seemingly burned bridges in Miami during the season finale, his tone has changed over the past month. GM Chris Grier said Hill has never asked for a trade. Then Drew Rosenhaus, Hill’s agent, publicly said Hill is committed to the Dolphins after meeting with Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel. Hill’s apology tour concluded on radio row at the Super Bowl when he apologized on multiple shows including PFT and Kay Adams’ Up and Adams. This won’t be the last we hear of Hill’s drama, but the rift between him and the Dolphins appears to be patched over for now.

Rosenhaus said Hill had “an excellent meeting with Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel” and chalked up Hill’s postgame comments in Week 18 to frustration in the heat of the moment. Hill, by all accounts, quit on the Dolphins in Week 18’s loss to the Jets after he saw the Chiefs trailing against the Broncos in a game Miami needed Denver to lose to have a chance at the postseason. Hill hinted at a trade shortly after the game ended, but GM Chris Grier said days later that Hill had not formally requested a trade from the team. We have a long way to go between now and Week 1 of the 2025 season. It seems unlikely that this will be the last we hear of this situation, but Hill is under contract through 2026. His only way out of Miami is seemingly via trade. He carries a dead cap hit of over $55 million if he is cut pre-June 1.

The downside is that Hill “didn’t walk back his comments.” This looks like a situation that hasn’t been resolved completely yet and is being slow-pedaled by a Dolphins regime that knows it wants to keep Hill happy. There’s also the tricky bit of language of not asking *the GM* for a trade, opening up the door that perhaps it was asked elsewhere. “Mike and I had conversations with Tyreek, productive conversations. I will keep those between us. In a frustrating season, he was very emotional in a game where we had a chance coming back from 2-6,” Grier added. This is still something to monitor going forward.

Rosenhaus shared the information on his weekly Sunday evening radio appearance after Hill told reporters that he would like to play elsewhere in 2025. Rosenhaus is likely attempting to save face for Hill following the veteran wide receiver’s impassioned talk with reporters by painting Hill as a player who remained steadfastly committed to his team. Whether it works remains to be seen and one wonders why Hill was allowed to play through what may have been a serious issue. This saga is not over. Stay tuned.

Hill initially began his response diplomatically, saying, “I have to do what’s best for me and my family — if that’s here or wherever the case may be. I’m about to open up that door for myself.” His statements became more declarative as the questions continued, though. When pressed at the end of the exchange about whether he was actually thinking about leaving, Hill stammered before finally saying, “yeah, if... yes,” while walking off. Hill’s season ends with a line of 81-959-6, but he finishes with career lows in YAC/REC (3.5) and YPRR (1.75). A lousy quarterback situation certainly slowed him for a chunk of the season, but it’s fair to wonder if we’re seeing signs of Hill’s age catching up to him. The Dolphins have time to iron things out this offseason but it appears as though Hill, who turns 31 in March, may be ready to play elsewhere next season.

Despite his questionable status heading into the weekend, Hill was always expected to play in a game that still has playoff implications for the Dolphins. Miami needs a win and some help to sneak into the AFC Wild Card round, but Hill will be available to catch passes from Tyler Huntley, who will make his second-consecutive start with Tua Tagovailoa (hip) sidelined.

Hill is likely to be active this weekend, with the season on the line. The wrist injury has been an issue all season but the illness and questionable designation raise eyebrows. Tua Tagovailoa (hip) is doubtful to play and Mike McDaniel’s decision on him could have a ripple effect. For now, fantasy managers should expect Hill to play, and play effectively, but this is a situation worth monitoring. Hill was unable to practice at all on Friday.