Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill sustained a season-ending injury in Monday night’s 27–21 victory over the Jets. It will likely have a major impact on the team on the field and the franchise’s front office.
Hill, 31, is in his fourth season in Miami, after being traded by the Chiefs in 2022. He’s making $27.7 million this season, but his $36 million salary next year is not fully guaranteed.
With Hill turning 32 in March and attempting to come back from a dislocated knee and multiple torn ligaments, the Dolphins will be forced to weigh the financial pros and cons of keeping him or moving on from the veteran wideout.
If Miami cuts or trades Hill after this season, it will be on the hook for $28.24 million of dead-cap money, according to Spotrac. However, that could be spread out across the 2026 ($15.9 million) and 2027 ($13.35 million) seasons, with a post–June 1 designation. That would account for $36 million in cap savings for the 2026 season, with Hill’s current cap hit set to be $51.9 million next year.
More Questions in Miami
While the Dolphins won their first game of the season Monday night, they face an uphill battle with a 1–3 record and Hill out for the season.
NFL insiders said Miami coach Mike McDaniel was on the hot seat coming into the season, and he has the highest betting odds to be the first coach fired this season at most sportsbooks. McDaniel was hired in 2022, and, in August 2024, received a contract extension through 2028.
Dolphins GM Chris Grier, who was hired in 2016, most recently received a multiyear contract extension ahead of the 2023 season. The entire length is unknown.
Meanwhile, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is signed through the 2028 season, playing on a $212.4 million extension of his rookie deal. If a potential new coach or GM wanted to move on from Tagovailoa, cutting or releasing the quarterback after this season would result in $99.2 million of dead-cap money, per Spotrac. The dead-cap number would drop to $34.8 million in 2027.
