Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill has torn his ACL, meaning his season is over. Yet, the five-time All-Pro isn’t feeling sorry for himself. Considering the Dolphins are sitting at 1-3, he may not be missing out on much.
Still, now that Hill is out for the season, one wonders where his future lies. For the record, he only has one more year left on his contract, and the Dolphins definitely won’t let him play at his current rate with a $51.8 million cap hit.
Except, Hill may not even make it to the offseason. ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes the Dolphins may decide to release Hill before the 2025 season ends, because it benefits both him and the team.
“Tyreek Hill’s contract with the Dolphins is structured in a way that he might actually benefit from being released before the end of the season. I was looking at his contract to get a sense of his future with Miami now that his season has ended due to the gruesome knee injury he sustained. Hill is owed $36 million for 2026, none of which is guaranteed, even against injury. If Hill is still on the roster as of 4 p.m. ET on the third day of the 2026 league year (March 13, 2026), then $11 million of his 2026 salary becomes fully guaranteed and his $5 million roster bonus vests. So odds are that the Dolphins would release Hill prior to March 13 to avoid owing him $16 million next year, unless the two sides agree to rework the contract before then.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano on Tyreek Hill
As weird as it sounds, Hill would make more money if the Dolphins release him before the end of the season than he would if they waited until March to cut him.”
Of course, the Dolphins could try holding onto Hill, hoping that they can either work out an extension with the eight-time Pro Bowler or get a team to make an offer they can’t refuse. After all, the Dolphins may not want to release a player of his caliber without getting anything in return.
The Dolphins acquired Hill for a first, second, two fourths, and a sixth-round pick. He’s recorded 4,733 yards and 27 touchdowns across four seasons, winning zero playoff games in two appearances. Hill will be 32 when the 2026 season gets underway and while he’ll be returning from a major injury, he’ll presumably still be one of the fastest, most dangerous receivers in football.
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