Is Tyreek Hill set for a resurgent year?

“This will be my best year yet dolfans”, said Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill on X, just two months after seemingly quitting on the team.

After a Week 18 loss to the New York Jets, Hill openly spoke of requesting a trade in his post-game interview. He has since done a U-turn, expressing his desire to stay with the team. Speaking on PTF Live, he said: "I'm taking full accountability for what I said. I don't deserve to say anything like that. They're paying me to play there, they've been very good to me”.

“So why am I going to go out and say the things I said? I fully take them back. I'm going to take full accountability and come back next year -- hoping to still be there -- and bust my tail for the team, for the guys, for the fans, for the whole city. I want to stay with the Dolphins."

Speaking to Kay Adams on FanDuel's Up and Adams Show, Hill double downed on his stance of commitment. He said: "I don't want to go nowhere. I love it, my family loves it, kids absolutely love being on the beach every morning. It's an amazing thing. We are building something really special in Miami. We made it to the playoffs the first two years. Obviously, this year was hard. But if guys continue to buy in to what coach is building, and the culture that he's trying to build, it's going to be a beautiful thing."

Here is why Hill could be a return to excellence in 2025.

Building Bridges

If Hill is to succeed on the field, he needs to build bridges off it. A key factor for any success is the connection with your teammates, particularly for a quarterback and wide receiver duo. Speaking with Kay Adams, he spoke of his discussions with Tua Tagovailoa.

"Tua, he's my guy, always will be my guy, no matter what, He understands my frustration. We all want to win. Tua, he's another competitor. He's a hell of a competitor, a lot of people don't know that. I'm looking forward to just us continuing to build our relationship and even more. This is my public apology to you, Tua. I love you, bro."

Offensive tackle Terron Armstead spoke of the work he needs to do to mend the situation and earn the trust of his teammates. Tyreek has also spoken of “going to practice every day and busting my tail” and with the aforementioned post on X, there is clear intention from Hill to work his way back and become a team player once again.

Hill has been a massive success since he was traded to the Dolphins in the 2022 offseason, becoming a key cog in the wheel. In three seasons with Miami, he has recorded 4,468 receiving yards and 26 receiving touchdowns.

However, part of the problem for the Dolphins during these three seasons, was the overuse of plays specifically targeted at Hill. In particularly, the 2023 season saw a clear aim to get him the 2,000 yards that he so publicly wanted. Now, with the success of Jonnu Smith at tight end, this gives Miami and quarterback Tua more options to throw to.

With a clear aim to bring success to the team, Hill appears hungry to be back in the conversation as one of the best wide receivers in the league. But can he avoid father time?

Form is temporary, class is permanent

The old saying goes, form is temporary, class is permanent. Tyreek Hill’s numbers dropped in 2024, with 959 receiving yards from 81 targets and a joint career worst six receiving touchdowns. However, he played a large part of the season with a right wrist injury.

Whether he can recover from the injury is one thing, Hill has proved throughout his career how good of a player he can be. Should he fully recover, then the rest of the league needs to be on watch. A resurgent year is certainly within his grasp. He may not even win it in Miami.

Where will Hill play in 2025?

Despite Hill’s recent comments, there is still a chance the Dolphins could trade him away. After all, the team have only $11 million in cap space. Set to take a $27.7 million hit, this number would rise if he is traded before the start of June or released, $28.3 million or $56 respectively. It would also drop down to $12.7 million should he be traded after the beginning of June.

Hill is due to count $27.7 million against Miami's salary cap in 2025, but that number would climb to $56 million if he's released or $28.3 million if he's traded before the beginning of June. A trade after the start of June would drop the dead money hit to $12.7 million.

Should a team such as the Dallas Cowboys find the cap space, he would surely be enticed by thought of playing alongside CeeDee Lamb. A more realistic proposition would be the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers.

With $43.4 million, $41.2 and $83.7 million available in cap space respectively, they can all realistically afford his contract. Due to the L.A lifestyle, both the Rams and Chargers would appeal to Hill. With the 49ers having just traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders, there is a space open for a WR1.

The Rams are open to trading Cooper Kupp and quarterback Matthew Stafford is staying. Having someone with the experience and Stafford, they would love the chance to find a like for like Kupp replacement. The Chargers need a top receiver along with Ladd McConkey. However, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh likes to run first, which would not appeal to a receiver wanting more receptions.

Hill is likely to stay with the Dolphins, but if he is traded, then the 49ers represent the best option for him to go. If he can stay healthy, he could easily return to greatness.

Andy Davies