tyreek hill cut by Dolphins — likely landing spots and what to watch next
The Dolphins released veteran wide receiver Tyreek Hill on Monday, a salary-cap move that also included several other veterans and cleared significant 2026 cap space for the team’s incoming coaching and front-office regime. Hill, 31, is rehabbing a dislocated knee sustained in 2025 and has said he’s "feeling good" about his recovery. His health and age will shape interest, but multiple teams could see him as a low-risk, high-reward addition this offseason.
Why Hill is on the market and how the Dolphins cleared room
The club’s decision to part ways with Hill came alongside cuts of other prominent veterans, moves made as the new head coach and general manager prepare to reshape the roster. Those departures free meaningful cap space for 2026, but they also make a high-profile playmaker available. Hill’s knee injury clouds his immediate availability — the rehab timeline could eat into his offseason and possibly the start of the 2026 season — so teams will weigh medical outlooks heavily before offering significant guarantees.
Most plausible fits: Raiders, Titans, Chargers, Bills
Las Vegas: The Raiders appear set to add a rookie quarterback early in the draft and would benefit from veteran playmakers around a young passer. The Raiders already have a dynamic tight end and emerging pieces in the backfield, but an explosive receiver with Hill’s route-running and game-breaking speed would give a rookie quarterback a trustworthy weapon and a field-stretching threat on early downs and late breaks.
Tennessee: The Titans have cap flexibility and a burgeoning young quarterback who showed promise as a rookie. With a defensive-minded head coach now in place and the franchise seeking a rapid turnaround, adding an experienced target could mirror recent successful blueprints where teams paired a veteran wideout with a young passer to accelerate development. Hill’s presence would also create matchup problems and open opportunities for other pass-catchers.
Los Angeles Chargers: While receiver depth isn’t the most pressing item for this roster, there are reasons this pairing makes sense. The Chargers have a veteran slot threat whose future is uncertain in free agency, and the staff includes coaches who have previously coached Hill. Familiarity with his usage — both as a primary target and a decoy — could allow the Chargers to maximize his impact even if he’s not at peak explosiveness yet.
Buffalo Bills: Receiver help is a clearer priority in Buffalo’s offseason planning. Mock drafts and roster outlooks often point to the team targeting pass catchers early, highlighting perceived gaps. Even if Hill isn’t the force he once was after the knee injury, a partially restored version of his speed and playmaking ability would provide the Bills with a dynamic option to complement their existing corps and give their quarterback more consistent downfield juice.
What teams will evaluate and the likely market
Medical evaluations will dominate conversations. Teams will want an up-to-date read on Hill’s knee, projected timelines for full speed and any limitations expected in Year 1 post-injury. Contract structure will also be critical: most contenders will prefer lower base guarantees with performance bonuses and incentives tied to snaps, games played and production. That makes a short-term, incentive-laden deal the likeliest outcome if Hill can show progress in workouts this spring.
Expect the most activity in the early free-agency window, when rosters are being finalized and teams with young quarterbacks look to add veteran support. For Hill, the next employer will weigh immediate roster needs, coaching familiarity and willingness to manage a phased return to play. His release shifts the receiver market and gives contenders and rebuilding clubs alike a chance to decide whether his elite past production is worth the present risk.
