Superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson just signed a record-setting extension, which means it’s time for Tyreek Hill to either get paid or demand a trade. Based on talent, production, and age, there is a strong case to be made that Jefferson is the most valuable wide receiver in football. However, while he is older, Hill has been the more productive player in recent seasons and could land a short-term deal that exceeds Jefferson’s contract on a per-year basis.
For what it’s worth, Tyreek Hill has not publicly demanded a new contract or a trade and has instead pushed those questions off to agent Drew Rosenhaus. Rosenhaus, however, has not shied away from talking about a potential blockbuster new deal.
“Let’s just say it’s safe to acknowledge that I’ve been in touch with [General Manager] Chris Grier….[w]ithout getting any more specifics, the Dolphins know how we feel.”
Tyreek Hill Could Request Extension, Trade After Justin Jefferson Contract
Based on the quote, it’s safe to assume that Tyreek Hill desperately wants the Dolphins to make him the highest-paid receiver in football, or trade him to a team that will hand out that type of money. For what it’s worth, Rosenhaus added that Hill wants to retire a Dolphin, but we’ve heard that rhetoric before. Every player in the league says that want to stay with their current team, but they’ll ultimately follow the money nine times out of 10.
The Dolphins won’t want to trade Tyreek Hill, but they’ll have a tough time making the money work. Miami went all-in on Tua Tagovailoa’s rookie contract, and the bill is coming due. The team lost several key free agents as they navigated salary cap hell, they just handed out a massive deal to Jaylen Waddle, and Tagovailoa will probably receive north of $50 million per year. Can Miami justify investing this much money in three players? If they can’t, they could probably receive a strong return for the 30-year-old superstar.
Potential Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers might have overcorrected when they parted ways with Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. While both veterans didn’t justify their massive cap hits on their own, the team now lacks a viable option at the position. Perhaps Ladd McConkey can turn into a reliable player, but Tyreek Hill is already a superstar and a trade could give the Chargers one of the best offenses in the league. Pairing a top-five receiver with Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh could lead to explosive results, and Hill would probably love the opportunity to share a division with his former team.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are doing their best to provide Bryce Young with the weapons required to succeed at the NFL level. Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen are reliable starters, and Xavier Legette’s ceiling is as high as anyone’s. However, if they truly want to get the best out of the former first-overall pick, they’ll trade for a superstar like Tyreek Hill. Hill helped turn Tagovailoa from a potential bust into a franchise quarterback, and he might be able to do the same for Young.
Detroit Lions
This is a darkhorse team, as the Lions already have one of the league’s better offenses. However, if Detroit doesn’t believe Jameson Williams can be a reliable deep threat, they could trade for Tyreek Hill to create the most explosive offense in the league. Armed with multiple talented weapons and a vastly improved defense, Detroit should have favorable odds of winning it all.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints will have to get creative to make the money work here, but nobody is better at manipulating the salary cap. New Orleans has built a team that, as currently constructed, is destined to hover around .500. Loaded with good-but-not-great talent, New Orleans must make a bold move if they want to make the playoffs and save Dennis Allen’s job. A Tyreek Hill trade might be just what the doctor ordered, as the five-time All-Pro could bring some much-needed life to one of the league’s more vanilla offenses.
Kansas City Chiefs
Why not? The Kansas City Chiefs won two Super Bowls since they decided to trade Tyreek Hill, but it’s clear this team misses him. Kansas City’s offense looked lost at times in 2024, and they probably don’t win the Super Bowl if Travis Kelce doesn’t find the Fountain of Youth in the playoffs. With Rashee Rice likely to face a massive suspension, Hill could return and give the Chiefs the most explosive group of receivers in the game.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA Today Sports
