Dolphins Release tyreek hill in Flurry of Cap-Clearing Roster Moves
The Miami Dolphins released tyreek hill on Monday in a sweeping set of roster moves that will create meaningful salary-cap space for the franchise. The veteran receiver, who suffered a dislocated knee and torn ACL in Week 4 of the 2025 season, is now a free agent for the first time in his 10-year career.
Cap implications and roster reshaping
The moves are the first major roster recalibration under the team’s new general manager and are expected to save the Dolphins roughly $23 million against the 2026 salary cap. That figure could rise to about $30 million if the team proceeds with an immediate release of former Pro Bowl linebacker Bradley Chubb, who was also informed Monday that he faces an impending roster move. It remains unclear whether Chubb’s release will be processed immediately or designated as a post-June 1 transaction after the league year begins on March 11, 2026 (ET).
Miami also moved on from offensive lineman James Daniels and receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as part of the same roster cleanup. The collective cuts mark a notable pivot after the aggressive roster-building that brought Hill and Chubb to South Florida, and they signal an offseason that will emphasize financial flexibility and retooling.
Where Hill stands: health, market and conduct review
Hill sustained a dislocated knee and a torn ACL in early 2025 and missed the rest of that season. He will turn 32 in March and enters free agency coming off a significant knee injury — factors that will influence his market value and the medical scrutiny teams apply. During his four seasons with Miami, Hill produced two consecutive 1, 700-yard receiving campaigns in 2022 and 2023, though his production declined in 2024 when he finished with 81 catches for 959 yards and six touchdowns.
In a social-media statement, Hill thanked the organization, teammates and fans and vowed he will continue his career, writing that he is “locked in” and that the “Cheetah will be back. ” That statement frames a player intent on returning to the field, but teams weighing a potential signing will have to balance optimism about his talent with caution over his long-term health.
Complicating matters beyond the medical picture is an ongoing league review under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. League officials confirmed by email that the investigation remains open. Any determination from that review could affect Hill’s availability and would be a key consideration for clubs contemplating a contract.
Outlook for Hill and the AFC landscape
Hill’s sudden availability has prompted immediate speculation about his potential destinations. Any suitor will have to consider his recovery timeline, likely financial demands, and the possibility of discipline tied to the conduct review. Teams with cap constraints will be wary of committing large sums to a high-impact receiver coming off a major knee injury and facing off-field questions.
The Dolphins’ decision also reframes their recent draft and free-agent strategy, returning valuable picks and payroll flexibility that could be used to address multiple roster needs. For Hill, the coming weeks will be about medical evaluations, fieldwork to demonstrate he can return to elite form, and awaiting the league’s final determination on the conduct matter. If he returns to health and clears any disciplinary hurdles, several teams in need of explosive playmaking could take a measured chance on a veteran who has spent the past decade among the NFL’s most dynamic receivers.
For now, the move closes a high-cost chapter in Miami’s roster history and opens a new one in which the Dolphins prioritize flexibility and younger contributors, while tyreek hill prepares to plot the next stage of a career that has been defined by elite production and recent uncertainty.
