For a time, Mike McDaniel and Tyreek Hill helped turn the Miami Dolphins into one of the NFL’s most electric offensive shows. Hill’s speed and McDaniel’s creative play-calling made Sundays in South Florida must-watch television. But that chapter may be officially closed - and not just for McDaniel.
Hill’s future in Miami is now in serious doubt, with multiple signs pointing toward a potential split. Financially, the numbers just don’t add up.
Hill is set to make $36 million in 2026 - and none of that money is guaranteed. That kind of cap hit is hard to justify for any player, let alone one coming off a major injury and a season that saw a steep drop in production.
The injury in question? A brutal one.
In Week 4 of the 2025 season, Hill dislocated his left knee and tore multiple ligaments - a devastating blow for any player, but especially for a receiver whose game is built on speed, quick cuts, and explosive acceleration. That injury ended his season prematurely and cast real doubt on how much of his trademark burst he’ll be able to recover.
Even before the injury, Hill wasn’t quite the same player. After posting elite-level numbers in 2022 and 2023 - the kind of efficiency that had defensive coordinators losing sleep - Hill’s production in 2024 took a significant dip. Whether it was age, scheme, or the wear and tear of being a featured weapon, the drop-off was noticeable.
And then there’s the off-field situation. Hill was accused of domestic violence by his estranged wife - a serious matter that could lead to league discipline depending on how the situation plays out. That cloud, combined with the injury and the financial implications, makes his return to Miami far from certain.
New head coach Jeff Hafley is now tasked with navigating a roster in transition. With McDaniel out and the Dolphins looking like a team entering a rebuild, it’s hard to imagine Hafley tying his early tenure to a high-priced, injured veteran with legal concerns hanging over him.
That’s not a knock on Hill’s talent - when healthy and focused, he’s still one of the most dynamic playmakers in football. But the risk-reward equation has shifted.
If the Dolphins do move on, it raises another question: What kind of market would there be for Hill? That’ll depend heavily on his recovery timeline.
If he can show he’s healthy and still has that trademark speed, there will be interest - but it likely won’t come with the kind of contract he’s currently sitting on. Teams will want to see proof, not just potential.
For now, Hill remains a Dolphin in name only. But all signs point to that changing soon. The McDaniel-Hill era brought fireworks, but in the NFL, things move fast - and Miami may already be looking ahead to its next act.