As expected, Tyreek Hill‘s tenure with the Dolphins is ending. The All-Pro wideout is among the many veterans being let go on Monday.
Hill is being released, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This marks an end to his four-year run in Miami. As Hill continues to get well from the season-ending knee injury he suffered in Week 4, he’ll now turn out to be a free agent. The Dolphins have since confirmed the news.
2026 was set to incorporate $36MM in compensation on this case. Hill was because of collect a $5MM roster bonus as a part of that figure in March, but many expected a release to happen well before that time. Miami has been busy on Monday, with the team’s list of veteran cuts including edge rusher Bradley Chubb and others. His release, together with that of Hill, will substantially alter the Dolphins’ cap situation.
Cutting Hill immediately would generate a rather higher dead money charge ($28.25MM) than the cap savings it will create ($22.89MM). Like in Chubb’s case, a post-June 1 designation could be rather more helpful for the Dolphins. Taking that route would yield over $35MM in savings against while spreading out the dead cap charges across the following two years. In either case, Miami is well into cost-shedding season given the team’s actions today.
Hill is free to hitch one other team, but since his injury there have been questions raised about his future. It would be interesting to see how much of a market forms on this case given the eight-time Pro Bowler’s health status. Hill can be the topic of an NFL investigation into domestic violence allegations. His history regarding other off-the-field issues represents one other factor which could hinder Hill’s value.
The Dolphins received notable trade interest in Jaylen Waddle leading as much as the 2025 deadline. To little surprise, Miami retained him. Waddle – who’s under contract through the 2028 campaign – is now in line to handle WR1 duties moving forward. The remaining of the team’s depth chart on the receiver position could see several changes this offseason.
Hill established himself as certainly one of the league’s best players over the course of his Chiefs tenure. The previous fifth-rounder was named a member of the 2010s All-Decade team based on his showings in Kansas City, and expectations were high upon arrival in Miami. The 2022 blockbuster deal which saw the Dolphins acquire Hill led to five picks for the Chiefs and helped them reset their core. With the Dolphins, Hill proved to be a highly productive contributor.
In 2022, he broke the 1,700-yard threshold. Hill matched that feat the next season, leading the league in yards and touchdowns. A drop-off was suffered in 2024, a 12 months during which the Dolphins handled quarterback injuries. Hill could possibly be seen as a viable goal in certain cases if suitors consider him a bounce-back candidate. Otherwise, his health status and intentions with respect to his future shall be a serious storyline.
The Dolphins are in position to usher in a brand new, young core throughout the opening 12 months of the Jon-Eric Sullivan-Jeff Hafley era. Further changes might be expected, but several veteran contracts are already coming off the books in an indication of the wide berth granted by owner Stephen Ross. Inexpensive receivers shall be targeted throughout the spring for Miami, while Hill will weigh his options.