Dolphins release five-time All‑Pro Tyreek Hill in sweeping cost‑cutting moves

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins released wide receiver Tyreek Hill on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 (ET), the most dramatic move in a day of roster surgery aimed at creating cap space and resetting the roster under a new coaching and front‑office regime.

Cap purge and roster shakeup

Hill’s release came amid a package of cuts that also included an offensive guard and another veteran receiver, moves that together clear more than $56 million in 2026 salary‑cap room. Another high‑profile defender could still be moved later in the year in a manner that would yield additional savings.

Prior to the cuts, the team was operating in the red against the cap; these transactions push the roster into a more flexible position ahead of free agency and the draft. The organization also holds a top‑half selection in April’s draft, giving the new staff multiple avenues to retool the roster for the coming season.

The changes mark the start of an extensive roster remake under the new head coach and general manager, who made it clear in their introductory remarks that bold moves would be part of their plan. Several veterans from the previous coaching era will not be back in Year 1 of the new regime.

What Hill’s release means for his future and Miami’s receiving room

Hill, a five‑time All‑Pro and eight‑time Pro Bowler, is 31 and turns 32 on March 1. His time with the Dolphins ends after four seasons in which he produced some of the league’s most explosive receiving numbers, including back‑to‑back 1, 700‑plus‑yard campaigns to open his Miami tenure and a 2023 season that led the league in receiving yards and tied for the team lead in touchdowns.

He finished his Dolphins stint with 819 career receptions for 11, 363 yards and 83 touchdowns. In 2025 he caught 21 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown before suffering a serious left‑knee injury in Week 4 that required surgery to repair extensive ligament damage, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament. His recovery timeline remains uncertain and it is unclear whether he will be ready to play in 2026.

With Hill now a free agent, he is eligible to sign immediately rather than waiting for the new league year. Given his age and the severity of the knee injury, the most likely path may be a period of recovery and evaluation before any decision on a comeback. On social media, Hill signaled an intent to return, posting that "The Cheetah don't slow down. Ever" and adding that fans should "just wait on it. The Cheetah will be back... Born Again. "

Room for reinvention in Miami

The receiver room has been dramatically thinned by Hill’s departure and the cut of another veteran wideout, leaving only two players who had double‑digit catches last season. Several depth pieces are set to hit free agency, and uncertainty at quarterback remains a major question for the offense as the front office weighs next steps.

Beyond the receiving corps, the moves signal a broader shift toward retooling the pass rush and offensive line as well. The organization now has clearer cap flexibility to pursue targets in free agency and will enter the draft with needs across multiple position groups. The new regime has signaled a willingness to make difficult personnel decisions in pursuit of a roster reset after back‑to‑back losing seasons.

For Hill, the immediate future is rehabilitation and financial and personal decision‑making. For Miami, Monday’s cuts mark the opening chapter of an aggressive roster overhaul that will shape the franchise’s direction in 2026 and beyond.