Tyreek Hill's electrifying speed and undeniable talent were integral to the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive rise, especially during the heady days of the Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes era. Together, they helped claim a Super Bowl victory in 2019, but change was on the horizon. In March 2022, Hill was traded to the Miami Dolphins in a blockbuster deal that saw the Chiefs receive five draft picks across two seasons.
Trey Smith, an up-and-coming talent for the Chiefs, touched on Hill's departure during a candid chat on the J-Mart and Ramon radio show back in June 2022. Smith acknowledged the realities of team decision-making and player careers with refreshing honesty: "The coaches are gonna do what they think is best for the organization and the team.
I can’t blame Tyreek. He’s getting paid.
I’ll never blame a guy for getting paid," he shared. “He’s gonna do what’s best for him.
I’m excited to see what he does in Miami.”
For those who've watched Hill's ascent, the move was both surprising and understandable. When a player of his caliber, already the league's second-highest-paid wide receiver behind Michael Thomas, seeks a new contract, the numbers are eye-catching. Hill's departure from Kansas City came with a new four-year, $120 million deal with the Dolphins, a significant increase from his previous three-year, $54 million extension with the Chiefs.
Smith was nothing short of enthusiastic about seeing Hill flourish in Miami. "I hope he balls!"
he exclaimed. "I love watching Tyreek, man.
He’s one of the coolest dudes to watch on the field. I’ve never seen someone move like that.
The attitude, demeanor, the swag on the field. It was fun to watch, man, it was fun to be around."
Having lined up alongside Hill, Smith had a front-row seat to his astounding performances and was convinced Hill would bring the same magic to the Dolphins' offensive scheme.
Hill’s departure prompted the Chiefs to revamp their wide receiver corps. Despite losing such a formidable presence, Smith believed in the team's ability to adapt and thrive.
"I think we have one of the best front offices in the league," he said, confidently backing the organization's strategy to rebuild. With a 2022 draft that set them up for future success, the Chiefs wasted no time revamping, bringing in playmakers like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney, and Justyn Ross.
In the following seasons, they continued to bolster their lineup, adding stars like DeAndre Hopkins, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown into the mix.
With these bold moves, Kansas City demonstrated not just a reaction to losing Hill, but a strategic pivot aimed at sustaining their offensive prowess in the Mahomes era. The revamped receiving unit promises to bring new excitement to the field, ensuring that the Chiefs remain a formidable force in the NFL landscape.
