Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel addressed comments from star wide receiver Tyreek Hill following the team’s 32-20 loss to the New York Jets in their regular season finale. Hill, who missed the fourth quarter, claimed he was pulled from the game by McDaniel, but the coach painted a different picture, suggesting Hill may have effectively removed himself from the action.
Conflicting Accounts
The Dolphins entered Sunday’s game needing a win and a Denver Broncos loss to clinch a playoff berth. However, the Broncos dominated the Kansas City Chiefs’ backups in a 38-0 blowout, rendering Miami’s postseason hopes futile. Hill, who has been dealing with a wrist injury throughout the season, did not play in the fourth quarter, sparking speculation about his absence.
After the game, Hill told reporters, “The coach kind of pulled me out… Just one of those issues, man, that like, you know, you look up at the scoreboard, Chiefs are down [to the Broncos], and it’s like, OK.”
McDaniel, however, offered a different perspective, stating he was informed Hill was unavailable just before a drive but was not told it was due to a new injury. “At that point in time, my focus was on the players on the field who were competing. We were trying to win a game, so my focus was there,” McDaniel said.
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Hill Declares He’s ‘Out’ of Miami
Hill’s postgame comments escalated further when he spoke about his time with the Dolphins in the past tense, suggesting he might be ready to move on from Miami.
“I just gotta do what’s best for me and my family. If that’s here or wherever the case may be, I’m finna open that door for myself. I’m opening the door. I’m out, bro. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, bro, I got to do what’s best for my career. I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there.”
Hill later took to social media, sharing a cryptic post that read, “Love fin nation blessing y’all opened doors for the Hill family forever nothing but respect and love.” Adding to the intrigue, Hill changed his profile picture on X (formerly Twitter) to an image of his face edited onto Antonio Brown’s infamous 2022 shirtless exit from a game, which marked the end of Brown’s NFL career.
McDaniel Downplays the Drama
Despite Hill’s fiery comments, McDaniel appeared unfazed. “I’m not going to (put) too much weight on second-hand, postgame disappointment statements,” the coach said. “We will see how (the) next couple days progress in conversations with him and I.”
McDaniel’s measured response suggests the team is not rushing to conclusions about Hill’s future in Miami, even as the receiver’s statements fuel speculation.
Hill’s 2024 Performance and Future in Miami
Hill’s frustration comes after a challenging season for both him and the Dolphins. He finished the year with 939 receiving yards, falling short of 1,000 yards for the first time since 2019. Much of his diminished production can be attributed to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missing six games due to injuries.
At 30 years old, Hill remains under contract with the Dolphins through 2026 after signing a three-year, $90 million restructured deal before the 2024 season. While his talent is unquestionable, his recent comments and actions raise questions about his commitment to the team moving forward.
What’s Next for the Dolphins and Hill?
The Dolphins now face a critical offseason. While Hill’s outburst might be dismissed as postgame frustration, it highlights underlying tensions after a disappointing 8-9 season. Miami must address its quarterback situation, injury concerns, and team dynamics to regain competitiveness in 2025.
For Hill, the coming days will determine whether his relationship with the Dolphins can be repaired or if his cryptic statements are the prelude to a dramatic departure.
As the offseason unfolds, Miami’s decisions regarding its star receiver could have significant implications for the team’s future trajectory.
