Out of virtually nothing, Tyreek Hill is headed to the Miami Dolphins — the Kansas City Chiefs trading him after contract extension negotiations broke down this week to the AFC East side for five draft picks: a first, second, and fourth-rounder in 2022 and a fourth and six-rounder in 2023.
Hill will also be receiving a four-year, $120 million contract extension with Miami.
A bevy of teams inquired about the speedy wide receiver, but two AFC East teams — Miami and the New York Jets — emerged as the favorites to land him, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter added that both teams had deals on the table as recently as Wednesday afternoon with the decision basically coming down to Hill, who was “torn,” on where he wanted to go.
Both franchises were in need of a bonafide playmaker to support their young quarterbacks. The Jets were attempting to build a dynamic unit around 2021 No. 2 pick Zach Wilson while the Dolphins are still rolling with Tua Tagovailoa under center.
Miami saw Jaylen Waddle develop into a legitimate threat last season with 104 catches for 1,015 yards and six scores. Now, he is teaming up with Hill to create one of the top receiving duos in the AFC and by far the fastest.
The acquisition has already paid notable dividends for the Dolphins in Vegas. Caesars Sportsbook improved Miami’s Super Bowl odds from 70-1 to 40-1 while their odds to win the AFC improved from 35-1 to 20-1.
For the Jets, their need for a proven playmaker to spark an offense that did its best to address the wide-receiving position last year by acquiring Corey Davis and drafting Elijah Moore — the latter showing flashes of becoming a legitimate top-2 target in New York — continues. No Jets receiver had more than 43 receptions or 538 yards last season.
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The 28-year-old pass-catcher has become one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL within a loaded Chiefs offense directed by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
A six-time Pro Bowler and considered one of the fastest men in football, Hill has posted at least 1,100 receiving yards in each of his last four seasons in which he played at least 15 games.
His 17-game averages over the last five years have been staggering with a whopping 95 receptions for 1,368 yards and 11 touchdowns.
While he was seen as an integral part of Kansas City’s offense, Hill was likely able to approach the negotiating table with lofty numbers based on Davante Adams’ massive $28.5 million per year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs could see notable free-agent signing, Juju Smith-Schuster, as an option to slot in Hill’s spot. Other notable free agents available include Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, and Julio Jones.
