Tyreek Hill has long been the top weapon for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. However, the 28-year-old receiver's time in Kansas City may be coming to an end.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that the Chiefs have given Hill permission to seek a trade. The decision stems from their inability to agree on a long-term extension with Hill.
Another blockbuster coming? Despite an offer from the #Chiefs that would make superstar Tyreek Hill one of the highest-paid receivers, extension talks have stalled and Kansas City has now given Hill’s agent permission to seek a trade, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2022
If the two sides are, in fact, unable to agree on a long-term extension, it makes sense that the Chiefs would trade Hill. He is in the final year of his contract and Kansas City can get a "massive haul" including a first-round pick for his services, per Rapoport.
Hill has posted at least 1,183 receiving yards in four of the last five seasons with the Chiefs. He has made the Pro Bowl in all six of his NFL seasons and is a three-time AP All-Pro first-teamer as a receiver and return man.
Hill is still in his prime and is one of the fastest players in the NFL. If he is moved, there will be plenty of suitors for his services, even if it means giving up high-end draft capital and signing him to a long-term extension. The Raiders just did the same thing with Davante Adams, after all.
So, where could Hill end up playing next? Here's a look at his top potential landing spots as the wild 2022 NFL offseason continues.
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Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are one of the two favorites to land Hill at this time, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Sources: Jets and Dolphins both now have trades in place for the soon-to-be former Chiefs’ WR Tyreek Hill. The question now becomes where Hill wants to become the highest-paid WR in NFL history. Once he decides, the trade is expected to happen; for now, Hill is said to be “torn.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2022
Miami has spent a good portion of the 2022 NFL offseason building around Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins signed two offensive linemen to protect him in Terron Armstead and Connor Williams, but they are still looking for help in the receiving corps.
Jaylen Waddle (104 catches, 1,015 yards) had an excellent rookie season, but no other Dolphins wide receiver recorded more than DeVante Parker's 40. Hill would be an immediate upgrade and the combination of his and Waddle's speed could prove tricky for opposing defenses to match.
The Dolphins have just $6.6 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com, but they could restructure contracts on their roster to ensure they have enough space for Hill.
New York Jets
The Jets are the other team considered to be among the finalists for Hill, according Schefter.
Jets and Dolphins are in serious talks to trade for Chiefs’ WR Tyreek Hill, per league sources. Hill and Chiefs are mulling what to do but Hill’s time in KC looks like it could be coming to an end.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2022
The Jets are positioned similarly to the Dolphins in that they have a good starting wide-out of the future in Elijah Moore. He was the only Jets receiver to record more than 500 receiving yards last season and can be trusted as a starter.
As for the rest of the unit, Corey Davis has been OK, but hasn't stayed healthy; Braxton Berrios is a solid slot receiver but isn't a game-breaker; and Jamison Crowder left the Jets in free agency to sign with the Bills.
New York needs a top receiver to pair with Zach Wilson long-term. Hill would give the Jets that and, along with Moore, he could stretch the field to allow them to take full advantage of Wilson's cannon of an arm.
The Jets have $19.5 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com, so they wouldn't have to do much to fit Hill's one-year contract under the cap. They may have to make one restructure or cut a player, but it won't be hard for the Jets to afford the veteran receiver.
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Philadelphia Eagles
While the Dolphins and Jets may be in the lead, we see dark horses emerge in trade talks all the time. It happened just last week when the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson. So, don't count out some other teams emerging as contenders for his services.
Howie Roseman has been involved in plenty of trades during his time running the Eagles, so he could get in on the action here. The Eagles have spent consecutive first-round picks on receivers, but while Devonta Smith looked good as a rookie, Jalen Reagor hasn't yet panned out.
Hill would give the Eagles the speed they were hoping to get when they drafted Reagor. He would pair well with the well-rounded Smith and give the Eagles' offense explosive scoring ability.
The Eagles have $23.1 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com, so they could trade for Hill without needing to make any roster moves. They also have three first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, so they could put together an intriguing package of picks to land Hill.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints opened up $23.1 million in cap space in the hopes of landing Watson. They couldn't do that, but perhaps they can land a solid consolation prize in Hill.
New Orleans has long been looking for a receiver to complement Michael Thomas, who has played sparingly over the last two years as a result of a nagging ankle injury. Hill could be a perfect fit.
While Thomas is a 6-3 receiver with good route-running skills and excellent hands, Hill is a 5-10 playmaker with electric speed who can make guys miss. Opposing defenses would have to choose which player to double team, and given each's ability to separate, that wouldn't be easy.
Jameis Winston was solid in seven starts for the Saints last season and liked taking downfield shots to the Saints' speed receivers like Deonte Harris (now Deonte Harty). Just imagine what he'll be able to do with a deep threat like Hill at his disposal.
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Why the Packers, Browns won't trade for Tyreek Hill
There will naturally be questions about whether some of the NFL's contenders will attempt to trade for Hill. Most notably, the Packers stand out as a team that could use his skill set.
However, Green Bay won't be chasing after Hill. The reason for that is simple.
The Packers weren't willing to pay Davante Adams as much on a contract as the 29-year-old receiver wanted. As a result, they traded him to the Raiders for first- and second-round picks.
In all likelihood, Hill is asking for a deal that will pay him similarly to Adams, as they are, arguably, the two best receivers in the NFL. Green Bay wasn't willing to pay Adams, who had been on the team since 2014, so it's hard to imagine shelling out a similar contract to Hill.
The Browns also seem unlikely to trade for Hill. On paper, he'd be a great fit for the team, and they surprisingly have enough cap space ($26 million) to afford him.
The issue is that Cleveland doesn't have enough draft capital to pull off a deal. The Browns traded three first-round picks to the Texans in the Watson deal, so unless the Chiefs are willing to wait until 2025 to get a first-round pick, they won't consider the Browns' offer.
So, as nice as a Hill and Amari Cooper would be at receiver, the Browns will not be in on Cooper.
