8-Time Pro Bowler Could Hit Vikings’ Radar

Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill in 2025
Oct 20, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) signs autographs before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images.

The Miami Dolphins began a roster and salary cap purge on Monday, preparing for free agency in three weeks. Accordingly, one man could hit the Minnesota Vikings’ free-agent radar: wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Hill isn’t a clean fit, but Vikings chatter grows when Miami’s cap cut and Hill’s availability start intersecting for a WR3-needy team.

The eight-time Pro Bowler is still recovering from a gruesome leg injury, with an unclear timetable to return. But if the Vikings don’t re-sign Jalen Nailor next month, they’ll need a WR3, and Hill isn’t the worst idea.

If the Vikings Need a WR3, Why Not Hill?

The Dolphins kicked the offseason into overdrive.

Tyreek Hill practicing on the field at Hard Rock Stadium before a Dolphins game. Minnesota Vikings Tyreek Hill
Tyreek Hill works through pregame drills on September 29, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, accelerating through routes and catching passes before the Dolphins face the Jets, sharpening timing and footwork as teammates stretch across the field ahead of kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images.

Hill Dropped by MIA

The Hill era in Miami ends after four seasons.

NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack wrote Monday, “The Dolphins celebrated Presidents’ Day with a flurry of moves. Miami is releasing wide receiver Tyreek Hill, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported, per sources. Hill, an eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, is currently rehabbing from a major leg injury suffered during the 2025 season and it is unclear when or if he’ll play in 2026, per Pelissero, who added Hill would’ve had $11 million of his contract become fully guaranteed this month.”

“Prior to the Hill news, Pelissero reported the Dolphins were releasing pass rusher Bradley Chubb, guard James Daniels and wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. The four cuts together clear over $56 million in 2026 cap space as head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan begin to completely remake the roster.”

Hill can actually sign anywhere in the NFL right now. He doesn’t have to wait until the free-agency window formally opens. A team can scoop him after dinner if it’s in the mood.

The Career Resume

Hill played four games in 2025 before dislocating his left knee and suffering multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL. The injury was horrendous; there’s no sugarcoating it.

In those four games, Hil tabulated 66.3 yards per game, translating to 1,127 yards in a 17-game season. He may not be the utterly electric speedster from eight years ago, but the guy can still fly, and he was on pace for a fancy season in Miami by most WR standards.

The rest of his resume speaks for itself. He’s totaled 11,363 in 10 seasons, along with 83 yards, and was known as the fastest player in the NFL for years. Hill is a playmaker personified — aptly nicknamed Cheetah — and will have something to prove next season in 2027.

His contract, too, should be semi-affordable, as he hopes to prove he still has the juice. A slightly diminished Hill next to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison could be the thing of dreams.

Vikings Fandom as a Kid

Hill has been clear about this for years. He didn’t just casually mention Minnesota once — he’s openly said he grew up a Vikings fan.

Back in the summer of 2023, he said, “Growing up a kid, I was a Minnesota Vikings fan. I love the Vikes, man.”

That comment lit up Vikings circles immediately, even though he wasn’t remotely available at the time. He’s also publicly called Adrian Peterson the greatest running back ever, which tracks with a kid raised on purple and gold highlights.

Tyreek Hill watching from the sideline during a Dolphins preseason game.
Tyreek Hill stands along the sideline on August 23, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, observing first-quarter action against the Jaguars with helmet in hand as the Dolphins offense settles into rhythm during preseason play. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.

Bottom line: if Hill ever had the option to land in Minnesota late in his career, there wouldn’t be resistance. The connection is pretty real.

Other Landing Spots

The Kansas City Chiefs, somewhat obviously, dominated “where will Tyreek Hill land?” chatter on Monday. He worked for the Chiefs from 2016 to 2021.

CBS Sports Garrett Podell opined, “This is the obvious one. The Chiefs have salary cap work to do to become compliant before the new league year begins March 11, but a reunion makes sense. Since trading Hill in 2022, Kansas City hasn’t had a true No. 1 wide receiver alongside future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce.”

“Hill accounted for just over 25% of Kansas City’s receiving yards in his final two seasons there (2020–21). Since his departure, Kelce leads the team at 22.7%, with wide receiver Rashee Rice second at just 10.2%. Hill and quarterback Patrick Mahomes would also be returning from ACL injuries suffered in 2025, potentially putting their timelines in sync. Hill tweeted about his intrigue regarding offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s return to Kansas City.”

Tyreek Hill running with the football during pregame warmups at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tyreek Hill carries the football on December 22, 2024, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens during pregame warmups before the Dolphins take on the 49ers, sprinting across the turf as he prepares for another high-profile matchup. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.

SI.com‘s Mike Kadlick mentioned the Buffalo Bills as a fit: “Josh Allen has been longing for a No. 1 wide receiver since the Bills decided to trade Stefon Diggs to the Texans several years ago, and unfortunately, the likes of Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir aren’t cutting it.”

“It would make sense for Buffalo to more into their offensive weaponry this offseason after transitioning from Sean McDermott to Joe Brady as head coach, and while Hill may no longer be the dynamic playmaker he once was, his speed is undeniable—and could help Allen and his rocket arm fully unlock a dynamic offense for the Bills.”

It’s also worth noting that Hill has had some disturbing off-field legal baggage over the years, and those concerns prevented Vikings fans from endorsing the would-be signing with a collective voice. Many said “no thanks” on Facebook and X.

Whether Hill is ready for Week 1 of 2026 also remains a mystery.


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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His debut thriller, The Motor Route , is out now. He ... More about Dustin Baker