A Tyreek Hill trade seemed like a distinct possibility in January when the star wide receiver indicated that he wanted out of Miami.
However, Hill never submitted a formal trade request to the Dolphins and the two sides quickly smoothed things over. Since then, the 31-year-old has seemed committed to the team, though his name showed up in the offseason rumor mill.
However, the Dolphins “never showed any genuine interest in moving Hill during the offseason,” according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. With the regular season only a few weeks away, it seems that the five-time All-Pro will stay in Miami for at least another year.
That’s not stopping teams from monitoring the situation, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). Hill is due a $15.85MM option bonus on August 31, per OverTheCap. If the Dolphins have any nascent desire to move on from Hill, it would be ideal financially – in terms of both cash and cap space – to do so before September.
Fowler also confirmed that the Dolphins rejected overtures regarding Hill earlier this offseason and admitted that persisting interest “could be wishful thinking.” Miami has an expensive roster and spent the offseason promising culture change, two signs that they intend to compete this year. Trading Hill would obviously deal a blow to their playoff chances, but their lack of depth in the trenches on both sides of the ball as well as a shaky cornerback room may already be insurmountable weaknesses.
Such a deal seems very unlikely to come together this late in the preseason and would probably take not only renewed, but heightened tension between Hill and the team.