Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill has agreed to a contract extension, the team announced Friday, without disclosing the terms, but according to Pro Football Talk, which cited an unidentified source, it is for three years and $54 million.
ESPN subsequently confirmed the terms of the extension that comes only days before the start of the 2019 NFL season.
We have signed WR Tyreek Hill to contract extension.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 6, 2019
Hill, 25, was set to enter the final year of his rookie contract that was slated to pay him just over $2 million this season.
The sides had been working on the extension, with a goal of completing it before the season, CBS Sports reported, adding that it was a "tricky deal for sure, given his off-field circumstances."
Hill has been shadowed by multiple incidents, most recently a leaked audio recording of him and his fiancee, Crystal Espinal, talking about alleged abuse of their 3-year-old son, a recording the Chiefs said they found "deeply disturbing."
He was suspended indefinitely when the audio leaked in April but was reinstated some four months later after an investigation by the NFL found that no one could "conclude that Hill violated the league's personal conduct policy." He escaped discipline and is expected to play Sunday in the team's opener against the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
However, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach alluded to the off-field issues in his statement regarding Hill's extension: “We’re pleased we were able to reach an agreement with Tyreek to keep him in a Chiefs uniform for the foreseeable future. He understands our expectations of him as a member of this team and community. This extension is contingent upon the conditions Tyreek agreed to adhere to upon his return to the team in July."
Hill previously had pleaded guilty to domestic assault and battery charges in 2015 stemming from a December 2014 incident in which he punched and choked Espinal, who was his girlfriend and pregnant at the time. He was sentenced to three years probation, and the Chiefs later selected him in the fifth round of the 2016 draft.
Hill, in a statement Friday, expressed gratitude for the team's confidence in him.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue my playing career here in Kansas City,” he said. “Kansas City is my home, and I appreciate the love and support from (owner) Clark Hunt, Coach (Andy) Reid and Brett Veach along with my coaches and teammates. To Chiefs Kingdom, you’re the best fans in the world.”
On the field, Hill has been an electrifying presence in three phases of Kansas City's attack, playing in 47 games (30 starts) in three NFL seasons.
The @Chiefs and WR Tyreek Hill agreed to an extension on Friday.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 6, 2019
Hill is the only player in NFL history with 25 Rec TD and 5 return TD in his first 3 seasons. pic.twitter.com/MsSvN26Omr
A Pro Bowl selection in all three seasons, he has 223 catches for 3,255 yards (14.6 avg.) with 25 receiving touchdowns. Since 2016, he has a league-best 44 receptions of 25 yards or more. Hill also has rushed 63 times for 477 yards (7.6 avg.) with four touchdowns. His career return stats include 84 punt returns for 1,009 yards (12.0 avg.) with four TDs along with 14 kickoff returns for 384 yards (27.4 avg.) and one touchdown.
"Tyreek is an elite player in this league and has played a major role in our team’s success, and we’re pleased that he’ll continue to make an impact for us," Veach said.
