Analyst Weighs in on Potential Tyreek Hill Trade Before 2025 Season

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill appears committed to staying with the Miami Dolphins, despite taking himself out of the team’s regular-season finale against the New York Jets on January 5. After the game, he told reporters he was “out.”

For a piece published Monday, NFL analyst Bill Barnwell of ESPN shared whether or not he thinks the Dolphins could trade Hill before Week 1 of the 2025 season arrives.

“The 30-year-old is due $28.7M in 2025, with just under $27M of that money guaranteed, but the only amount due in March is a $1M roster bonus,” Barnwell said about Hill. “…Hill is probably worth more to the Dolphins than he is to any other team, given how heavily they rely on their receivers to create big plays after the catch. And the fact that he backpedaled on his comments following the Week 18 loss to the Jets suggests he wants to stay with the Dolphins. Given his guaranteed salary, the most likely scenario is that he sticks around in Miami, at least for one more year.”

Barnwell referred to Hill’s public apology to Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his teammates during a Super Bowl week media appearance. On paper, the Dolphins’ offense would likely be stronger with Hill this September, even if the veteran has slowed down slightly.

ESPN statistics show that Hill led the 2024 Dolphins with 123 targets and 959 receiving yards. He ranked second on the team with 81 receptions and tied for second with six touchdown catches.

Before Hill’s appearance on Super Bowl Radio Row, reports connected him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. Barnwell pointed out that the Dolphins aren’t under pressure to make an immediate decision on Hill and could wait until summer to assess his stance on the team.

“While Hill is owed a $10M base salary and a $15M option bonus, the latter doesn’t need to be paid until Aug. 31, meaning the Dolphins could unload that $25M on another team if they trade away Hill before the start of September,” Barnwell wrote. “The trade would free up about $400,000 in cap space if it occurs before June 1 and just under $16M if it occurs after June 1. Miami wouldn’t realize much in the way of cap savings, but it would be the franchise’s way to move on from him before a potentially bad situation gets worse.”

The Steelers sought offensive playmakers from last March through the in-season trade deadline in November. In theory, they could consider acquiring Hill in August if he decides he’s no longer fully committed to the Dolphins.

By the Numbers

Tyreek Hill carries a salary cap hit of $28.5 million for the Dolphins.
Hypothetical trades include the Ravens offering tight end Mark Andrews and two first-round picks.
The Chargers could propose two first-round picks and a future second-rounder.