Tyreek Hill reset the WR market a few years ago with a $30MM average annual value on his four-year pact. He’s recently been leaped by Justin Jefferson ($35MM), A.J. Brown ($32MM), and Amon-Ra St. Brown ($30.02MM), and teammate Jaylen Waddle earned more guaranteed money in his lucrative extension than Hill got in his Miami deal. With only a year’s worth of guaranteed money remaining on the veteran’s contract, Hill is naturally pushing for a revised contract.
[RELATED: Tyreek Hill Addresses Contract Situation]
In a conversation with Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Hill acknowledged that he’s looking for a new deal.
“I’m very excited to like just be a part of the old wave, which was $30 million, and Justin Jefferson came and surpassed that, man,” Hill said. “So, very proud of those guys, happy for obviously my teammate Waddle getting his new deal. For guys like me, that’s great. I’m 30 years old, also looking for a new deal. So, very, very excited to see where I fit into that category. It’s amazing.”
Hill is still playing on the four-year, $120MM contract he inked with the Dolphins in 2022. However, the 2024 campaign will mark the final year where Hill is connected to any guaranteed money. With a lofty $50MM-plus cap hit coming during the 2026 season (plus a potential out in the contract following the 2024 campaign), it would make sense for both sides to return to the negotiating table.
While Hill has put up incredible numbers since joining the Dolphins, he’ll be entering his age-30 season in 2024. That would probably make him hard pressed to approach Jefferson’s record AAV, although Hill once admitted that he’s never necessarily aspired to be the league’s highest-paid WR. That could lead to some common ground between the two sides, allowing Hill to lock in more guaranteed money and/or a higher AAV while the Dolphins can clean their books for 2025 and 2026.
Fortunately for the organization, it doesn’t sound like Hill is distracted by a potential pay raise. He told Wilson that his lone focus is to help the Dolphins get over the hump.
“Oh yeah, for sure, so very excited for it, man, but the real goal is to win the Super Bowl,” Hill said. “It’s cool to get paid and all that, but you know being able to win a Super Bowl and bring something special to the city of Miami, that’s something that can live with us forever. I believe that’s very monumental for all of us. Create greatness, man.”
lol really after a couple years wow
So why is it that when players decide to ask for a contract extension/new contract while the old deal is in place, it’s not okay? But when the team cuts a player or requests a pay cut while the player is under contract, it’s business and expected? This is a business. Any employee in any field should ask for a raise when they are doing their job well. And if the employees boss declines, find another company that will pay you what you’re worth. I don’t understand how this is controversial or “wow”. This happens in every business is the U.S.
Because Hill’s already gotten one massive, top of the league type contract. We’ll have to see what he wants before rushing to judgement, though. If Hill pushes for another top deal right after Waddle’s first and while Tua is needing his first as well, he’ll look worse. If Hill takes below his market value to stay and help push for a championship, he’ll back up what he said a bit more.
I don’t think it’s an issue when players push for guarantees, but players also talk about Super Bowls and then push to be at the top of the market. I know that’s taboo to talk about the cap in today’s environment, but it does exist, and precisely for this reason-so that teams cannot hoard talent. I’m not saying that it’s poor character to angle for top money deals. That’s the player’s business and decision. However, it is just true that teams can’t pay everyone, and that other players possibly deserve more money and don’t get it because there’s only so much to go around. We could argue about the cap all day, but it is there, and it does limit the overall availability of contract space.
So, both sentiments are true, to me: players aren’t wrong for pushing for guarantees, and it’s also fair to say that they sometimes get obsessed with bring top of the market and use other reasons to justify that. We’ll have to see what Hill wants, first. Maybe he just wants more guarantees, which is pretty fair. Maybe he wants a big deal, which would put a lot of strain on a team he claims to want to keep together. Hopefully for Miami, it’s the former.
He wants to be the highest paid WR in the league. He is hands down (still) the quickest WR that can make a cut AND catch the ball. Not many CBs can hang with him. I wouldn’t say this about most players, but this is one you pay.
I don’t mind players looking for better financial deals but I cringe when they claim they are doing it for altruistic reasons. When they say they are setting a new market ceiling to help the poor unfortunate players lower on the depth chart you can only laugh at how stupid that sounds.
I think his logic is the top WR resetting the market pushes the market higher for future WR’s. Just like if Mahomes had demanded $65 mill a year when he signed, Burrow would now be at $65 mill APY, not $55 mill APY.
But Mahomes wouldn’t be thinking “I got to demand $65MM otherwise poor Joe will be stuck with just $55MM. Everyone is out for themselves in those situations.
Hey, he’s got a family to support…
You’re talking about with casts and slings, right?
The idiot probably has three more on the way as we speak
Tyreek Hill would like everyone to know that his talent, speed, and business prowess has reset how Wide Receivers will be getting paid moving forward. His work will greatly impact how teams evaluate positions, game plan, and change rules for the future. Tyreek Hill has made a lasting impact with the NFL both on and off the field.
Thank you
He’s about the age when the injuries will start to happen, he makes good enough money already……Dolphins need to be like, we’re good with the contract that’s already in place bro
Let him negotiate that is always fair. If he holds out, then he’s a bum.
Didn’t Hill say that he was retiring at the conclusion of his contract and that he intended to spend more time with his family…or do I have the wrong player?
That was my first thought.
That was him – you are correct.
It probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to see if you can use the team leverage to add another year in exchange for changing the guarantees. He is still at the top of his game.
Stevie Wonder saw this coming