Expectations were high for a third straight postseason appearance in the case of the 2024 Dolphins. The playoffs are certainly not out of reach at this point, but the team faces an uphill battle with a 1-3 record and several injuries to overcome.
[RELATED: Odell Beckham Jr. Returns To Practice]
Quarterback Tua Tagovalioa is making progress in his recovery from a concussion, but it remains to be seen when he will be back in the lineup. At a minimum, a few more games with backup options Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson will be in store. Miami’s defense has been dealt a blow with edge rusher Jaelan Phillips set to undergo season-ending knee surgery. The Dolphins managed to make the postseason last year in spite of Phillips’ Achilles tear, but duplicating that feat in 2024 will be a tall order.
For that reason, speculation has increased about the possibility the team could adopt a seller’s standpoint ahead of the trade deadline. Failing to bounce back from September’s poor showing could leave Miami further adrift of a playoff berth closer to the November 5 deadline, and in that event certain veteran players could become available. Tyreek Hill, unsurprisingly, does not expect to be one of them.
“We’ve got a great situation here, my family loves it, I enjoy it, the weather’s great, the fans are great,” the 30-year-old said (via NFL.com). “So, we’ve got a beautiful situation here, man. Obviously, my parents always taught me control the controllables. I only can control so much. That being said, we all know the NFL is a business. Whatever happens, happens. Moving forward, I would love to be here — I love being here. I love the guys.”
Hill, like fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle, landed a new Dolphins contract this offseason. The five-time All-Pro worked out a three-year, $90MM restructure which took the place of his previous pact. The new agreement contains $65MM in total guarantees, and a trade in 2024 would result in a dead money charge of just over $41MM. No such move is feasible from the Dolphins’ perspective as a result.
Hill made it clear during the offseason that he wanted to avoid his contract talks leading to a trade, which of course was the case in 2022 with the Chiefs dealing him to the Dolphins. It would come as a major surprise if any consideration were given on Miami’s part to a trade at this point, and Hill himself clearly shares that sentiment.