Receiver Tyreek Hill is a free agent for the first time in his career. A former Kansas City teammate wants him to come home.
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones tweeted his plea to Hill on Monday night, telling Tyreek, basically, “It’s time.”
Before Hill suffered a serious knee injury in September 2025, widespread speculation connected the Chiefs to a potential in-season trade for Hill.
With offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy returning to the Chiefs, there’s a turn-back-the-clock vibe in Kansas City. A reunion with Hill could be the best way to make that happen.
Will he be the same guy he was when he last played for the Chiefs in 2021? No. But he’d be as good if not better than the other available options.
Hill will likely have options. The question becomes whether he wants a fresh start elsewhere or a second chance to do what he once did for the Chiefs, as they try to reestablish themselves following a very disappointing 2025 season.
Tyreek Hill has been cut by the Dolphins, but he vows that his career didn’t end with the serious knee injury he suffered last season.
In a post on social media, Hill wrote thanked Miami for his time playing there and concluded by saying that he’ll be back.
The full post is below.
“The Journey Don’t Stop✌🏿
“From the bottom of my heart, Thank You To the entire Miami Dolphins organization, my teammates, the staff, and most importantly Fins Nation, for an unforgettable 4 years.
“From the moment I landed in Miami, I felt the Love. You believed in me. You pushed me. You celebrated with me. These past few years have been some of the most meaningful of my life and career.
“To my brothers in the locker room who have come and gone — Thank You for the wins, the Ls, the memories, the sacrifices.
“We built something special, together, for the city of Miami.
“To all my coaches and the organization, Thank You for challenging me to grow and holding me accountable.
“And to the fans… y’all are different man. The way you showed up for us week after week, no matter the outcome— that love was real. I feel it thru out the city and every time I stepped into Hardrock.
“Miami, you have became my home.
“But, the journey doesn’t stop here…
“Every chapter in life has taught me something. This one taught me leadership, resilience, and mostly gratitude. The love I have for this game is unexplainable. And right now, this off season, for the first time ever, The Cheetah is all the way turned up and locked in. Focused.
“The Cheetah don’t slow down. Ever.
“So to everyone wondering what’s next… just wait on it. The Cheetah will be back…Born Again.
“Major Love to the 305.”
Hill was once among the NFL’s best players, but he’ll turn 32 on March 1, and a major knee injury can be a major detriment to a player whose speed was so important to his game. It’s not unreasonable to question whether we’ll ever see The Cheetah on the football field again, but he’s confident that he can make it happen.
The new regime in Miami is putting its stamp on the organization by getting rid of players the old one brought in.
On Monday, the Dolphins officially severed ties with receiver Tyreek Hill, guard James Daniels, and receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb also is expected to be released, possibly after the new league year begins with a post-June 1 designation.
The Dolphins still have to make a decision on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa; new G.M. Jon-Eric Sullivan said last week it’s coming soon. Unless they can find a trade partner, he’ll likely be released with a post-June 1 designation, too. They’d owe him $54 million for 2026 and take a total of $99 million of dead-cap charges through 2027.
Regardless, the Dolphins will look significantly different in 2026, with the goal of becoming consistent contenders. They last won a playoff game 26 years ago, and they’ve had two straight years without postseason appearances.
The Dolphins are in a full blown Two Days After St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
The latest to go is receiver Tyreek Hill. And it’s the least surprising.
Even without the significant knee injury he suffered on September 29, this was coming. Even without the firing of G.M. Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel, this was coming.
Hill was due to make $35 million in 2026, the final year of his contract. He had a $5 million roster bonus that was due on the third day of the new league year.
He was always going to be released. He was always going to be available on the open market.
Now, for the first time, he’ll be free and clear to sign with anyone.
The question is whether Hill will be signed before he’s fully and completely healthy and, if so, whether his contract will include protections based on Hill eventually passing a physical. Sometimes, a player has enough leverage (like receiver Chris Godwin a year ago) to avoid such limitations on his pay.
Hill turns 32 on March 1. The best of his best days are likely behind him. If healthy, however, he’s still pretty damn good.
The most obvious potential destination is Kansas City. Last year at the Super Bowl, Hill expressed some regret for leaving in the first place. With Eric Bieniemy back as the offensive coordinator, the Chiefs could decide to bring Hill back, too. Which may have the added benefit of getting tight end Travis Kelce to return for another season.
The Chargers could become a potential destination, given McDaniel’s arrival there as offensive coordinator. They desperately need effective weapons for quarterback Justin Herbert — and a 32-year-old Hill would instantly be better than anything else they currently have.
Other teams with needs at the position should give Hill a look, including (to name a few) the Bills, Ravens, Steelers, Packers, Jets (who tried to trade for him four years ago), Patriots, and Seahawks (who need a strong, consistent complement to Jaxon Smith-Njigba).
The Dolphins are continuing to reshape their roster by releasing more veteran players.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Miami is releasing guard James Daniels and receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Daniels, 28, played just three snaps in 2025 after signing a three-year deal with the Dolphins in free agency. He suffered a pectoral injury in the season opener and spent the rest of the season on injured reserve.
Releasing Daniels will save the Dolphins $6.5 million against the cap in 2027.
Westbrook-Ikhine signed a two-year deal with Miami last offseason. He appeared in 15 games with three starts, catching 11 passes for 89 yards. His release will save Miami $1.5 million against the cap in 2026.
Miami notably has also let go of edge rusher Bradley Chubb and receiver Tyreek Hill on Monday.
