Tyreek Hill Released by Miami Dolphins After Season-Ending Knee Injury
The Miami Dolphins have released All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill, a move that immediately reshapes the upcoming free-agent landscape and leaves questions about the star’s recovery and future role in the league. Hill, who suffered a devastating left-knee injury late in the 2025 season, is now free to sign elsewhere as teams weigh his production versus medical and cap concerns.
Injury, contract and on-field résumé
Hill’s 2025 season ended on Sept. 29 after a game against the New York Jets, when he sustained severe damage to his left knee that required surgery, including repair of a torn ACL. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign and prompted skepticism from evaluators about his short-term availability and long-term explosiveness.
Miami acquired Hill in a blockbuster deal ahead of the 2022 season and later signed him to a four-year extension that at the time made him the highest-paid player at his position. That contract ran through 2026 and carried a team salary-cap implication that the Dolphins apparently determined was no longer sustainable given roster plans and the club’s offseason reset.
On the field, Hill remained one of the NFL’s most productive receivers during his tenure with Miami. In 54 games with the team he recorded 340 catches for 4, 733 yards and 27 touchdowns. He earned All-Pro honors in his first two seasons with the club, though postseason results did not match the deep playoff runs he enjoyed earlier in his career.
Market implications and fit questions for suitors
Hill will turn 32 on March 1 and enters free agency with measurable risk factors: major knee reconstruction, age and recent availability issues. Those factors are expected to soften the market for a receiver who, at his peak, commanded top-dollar deals. Early payroll estimates discussed in league circles suggest a lowered projection relative to his previous Dolphins salary, with some assessments centering near the mid-to-high tens of millions for the first season of a new deal, depending on guarantees and injury protections.
NFL teams facing wide receiver shortfalls must now decide whether to pursue an impact name coming off a significant injury or to target lower-risk, lower-cost depth options. For clubs with tight cap flexibility, signing Hill would likely require creative structuring or a short-term contract that minimizes long-term commitment. For teams willing to gamble, Hill still offers elite route-running, separation ability and suddenness when healthy — traits that could accelerate an offense when paired with a top quarterback.
Legacy, next steps and what to watch
Off the field, Hill’s tenure in Miami included both on-field excellence and off-field controversy, moments that accompanied a high-profile presence in the locker room and the media. He has publicly expressed uncertainty about his playing future in recent months, saying he would consult family and reflect on his physical and mental readiness before making a decision about continuing his career.
Immediate next steps for Hill include completing his rehabilitation and conducting NFL physicals with prospective teams. Medical clearances, the structure of any offer and Hill’s own appetite for another season of professional football will determine the timeline. Expect teams to perform thorough medical evaluations and to weigh short-term utility against long-term risk when making decisions.
The release marks a major roster pivot for the Dolphins and turns Hill into one of the highest-profile free agents on the market. How quickly he signs, where he lands and how he looks on the field in 2026 will be central storylines throughout the offseason as franchises balance need, finances and the uncertainty that follows a major knee injury.
