MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Just a few months back, Tyreek Hill expressed his enthusiasm for being a part of the Miami Dolphins, despite rumors swirling about a potential trade that could see him return to the Kansas City Chiefs. In October, he noted, “We’ve got a beautiful team here and I want to be a part of it,” showcasing his commitment to the Dolphins after a trade brought him from Kansas City. He emphasized that he had a strong situation in Miami, stating, “My family loves it, I enjoy it … Moving forward, I would love to be here.”
However, the Dolphins’ disappointing season, which marked Hill’s first year missing the playoffs in his nine-year career, has now brought his future into question. Hill ended the season having failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards, leaving the organization facing a challenging offseason filled with uncertainty. This setback follows a losing record for the first time in three years under coach Mike McDaniel, who remains alongside general manager Chris Grier as they strategize for the upcoming season.
The Dolphins entered the 2024 season with high hopes, believing their roster was designed to compete within the AFC. Unfortunately, those expectations were not met, starting with Hill’s pre-game police detainment ahead of the opener. The situation worsened when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered his third concussion in two years, leading to his stint on injured reserve; during his absence, the Dolphins recorded a 1-3 record.
Despite a late-season push where Miami clawed back from a 2-6 record with a 6-2 stretch that kept their playoff hopes alive, the Dolphins were ultimately eliminated after a loss to the New York Jets. Following that defeat, Hill remarked, “For me, I have to do what’s best for me and my family. If that’s here or wherever the case may be. I’m (going to) open that door for myself.”
In what turned out to be the least productive season since joining the Dolphins, Hill recorded only 959 yards — the lowest since an injury-riddled season in 2019 when he managed 860 yards in just 12 games. His 81 receptions were similarly the fewest since that year, even though he had previously surpassed 1,700 receiving yards in his first two seasons with Miami. Hill dealt with a wrist injury throughout the year and lamented the absence of Tagovailoa, who was sidelined due to what was described as a “muscle issue” in his hip that kept him out for the final two games.
This season, teams successfully adjusted to the threats posed by Hill and fellow receiver Jaylen Waddle, leading to difficulties for Miami’s offense. Hill frequently struggled to reach 40 receiving yards, failing to do so in seven games, even while Tagovailoa played in three of those contests. Addressing his situation, Hill stated, “I’m out, bro. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I’ve got to do what’s best for my career. … I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there.”
McDaniel addressed Hill’s comments, suggesting they stemmed from the heightened emotions of a disappointing game. He explained, “I’m not going to put too much weight on secondhand, postgame disappointment statements. We’ll see how the next couple days progress with those conversations with him and I.” During the game against the Jets, Hill did not participate in the fourth quarter, as McDaniel mentioned he was informed that the player was “unavailable right before a drive,” without any indication of a new injury.
Teammates offered mixed reactions on the situation following the game. Linebacker Bradley Chubb remarked, “It’s disappointing for sure. At the end of the day, you’ve just got to move on with the guys that want to be here.” Fullback Alec Ingold expressed disappointment at how things unfolded while acknowledging his respect for Hill, viewing postgame sentiments with some caution due to emotional responses.
The Dolphins acquired Hill from the Chiefs before the 2022 season, rewarding him with a lucrative four-year, $120 million contract extension. After restructuring his deal last offseason, Hill’s contract now includes $106.5 million in fully guaranteed money over four years, with two years remaining.
Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa is determined to use this offseason to ensure he can stay healthy throughout the season after enduring a career-high six missed games in 2024. Tagovailoa, who has only completed one full season as Miami’s starter, expressed his frustration regarding his repeated injuries, including concussions.
As the Dolphins look ahead, a significant need will be to secure a dependable backup for Tagovailoa, especially considering the injuries he has faced throughout his career. The 2024 season saw three different backups — Skylar Thompson, Mike White, and Tyler Huntley — take the field for Miami.
Moving forward, one of the immediate concerns for the Dolphins will be whether veteran defensive player Calais Campbell opts to return for a potential 18th season and if he will choose to do so with Miami. Campbell indicated he played the season finale as if it could be his last but has yet to make a definitive decision on retirement. Additionally, the Dolphins are expected to regain key players returning from knee injuries, including Chubb, who did not play this season, as well as linebacker Jaelan Phillips and right tackle Austin Jackson, with all expressing optimism about their readiness for the start of the upcoming season.
