Tyreek Hill’s time in Miami might be racing toward the finish line just as fast as one of his trademark sprints down the sideline. With the NFL’s new league year approaching in March, the Dolphins are staring down a financial crossroads - and Hill’s future with the team is firmly in the spotlight.
Here’s the situation: as of now, the Dolphins don’t owe Hill any more guaranteed money. But that changes the moment the league calendar flips to March.
At that point, an $11 million guarantee kicks in, and a $5 million roster bonus follows. That’s $16 million tied to a player who’s set to make $29 million in 2026 - a number that’s been on the books for over a year, but now feels a lot more real as Miami evaluates its cap sheet.
The timing here is critical. Free agency opens March 11, and the Dolphins can’t afford to wait until June 1 to make a decision.
While many had pegged Hill as a likely post-June 1 designation - a move that would spread out the cap hit over two years - that scenario appears to be slipping away. Instead, Miami could opt to move on from Hill in March, absorb the larger cap hit in 2026, and clear the books for good.
That kind of move would be bold, but it would also give Miami more flexibility heading into the summer. Under NFL rules, teams can designate up to two players as post-June 1 cuts, deferring cap savings until later in the offseason. If Hill isn’t one of those two, the Dolphins would have more room to use those slots on other high-priced names - and there are a few on the chopping block.
Tua Tagovailoa, Bradley Chubb, and Austin Jackson are all reportedly in the mix as potential cap casualties. Each of them carries a significant number, and while none of those decisions are easy, the Dolphins are clearly entering an offseason where tough calls are going to be the norm.
General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has a full plate. This isn’t just about trimming fat - it’s about reshaping the roster’s financial foundation.
Miami is staring at a short-term cap crunch, and the ripple effects of Tagovailoa’s next contract loom large. That means expensive veterans, even ones as electric as Hill, could be on borrowed time.
The Dolphins are trying to thread a difficult needle: stay competitive while building a sustainable core for the future. And that might mean saying goodbye to some familiar faces sooner than expected. For Tyreek Hill, the clock is ticking - and the Dolphins’ front office knows it.