The NFL is no stranger to blockbuster trades, but Tyreek Hill’s move from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Miami Dolphins in March 2022 shocked fans and analysts alike. Hill, a six-time Pro Bowler and one of the league’s most electrifying wide receivers, had been a cornerstone of Kansas City’s high-octane offense, helping lead the team to a Super Bowl victory and back-to-back AFC Championships.
His departure marked the end of an era for the Chiefs and the beginning of a new chapter for Hill in Miami.
While Hill, 30, has undeniably been a game-changer for the Dolphins, he recently revealed that he sometimes second-guesses his decision to leave the Chiefs. The star receiver admitted that questions about whether he made the right choice continue to linger in his mind, highlighting the emotional complexity of high-stakes career moves.
From Kansas City Chiefs to Miami Dolphins: A Career-Changing Decision for Tyreek Hill
Hill asked the Chiefs franchise for a contract extension and more money, but when Kansas City would not oblige, they traded the speedster to South Beach. It sent shockwaves through the NFL.
The Chiefs, reportedly unable to meet Hill’s contract demands, dealt him for a massive haul that included five draft picks — a first, second, and fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and fourth and sixth-round picks in 2023. Shortly after the trade, Hill signed a four-year, $120 million extension with Miami, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in the league.
For Hill, the decision seemed like a no-brainer financially. The Dolphins offered a chance to reset the market for wide receivers and the prospect of playing in a warm-weather city with an emerging young quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa added to the allure.
But the choice also meant walking away from the potential Chiefs dynasty, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid — a tandem many believe has the potential to dominate the NFL for years to come.
Reflecting on his departure, Hill admitted in a Feb. 7 interview with Mike Florio and Chris Simms, “Always… I mean, I’m human. So, at the end of the day, you’re always thinking in the back of your head, like, ‘Man, did I make the right decision?’” For Hill, leaving a proven winner for the unknown was difficult, even when the trade-off included record-breaking contracts and new opportunities.
🗣️ Tyreek Hill on if he ever second-guesses his decision to leave the Kansas City Chiefs:
“Always… I mean, I’m human. So at the end of the day, you’re always thinking in the back of your head like, man, did I make the right decision?” (h/t @Dolphin_Nation) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/0Vbs2o8TXI
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) February 8, 2025
Hill Reveals His Pick for Super Bowl 59 Winner
Although Hill has become a superstar for the Dolphins, he strongly admires his former Chiefs team.
Hill shared heartfelt sentiments about the organization and his former teammates, saying, “I love those guys to death, man. I got a lot of respect for them because of the way each and every Sunday that we took the field; we knew that we were going to win games. And every guy on that team works their tail off, and I can see why they’re about the three-peat.”
The Chiefs’ continued success, including their pursuit of a third consecutive Super Bowl appearance, has not gone unnoticed by Hill. But watching his former team — who went on to win two straight Super Bowls after his trade — on the league’s biggest stage year after year has been a bittersweet experience for the dynamic wide receiver.
“I come to the Super Bowl every year, man, and it’s tough for me,” Hill admitted. “I tell my wife, I’m not going to the Super Bowl. It’s tough. I’m still going for the Chiefs.”
While Hill remains supportive, he acknowledges the challenge of not being on the field right now. “It sucks not playing,” he said. “But I got to be mindful of the future I’m trying to build.”
After an ugly end for the Dolphins in their 2024 season finale, a frustrated Hill expressed his desire to leave South Beach but revised that statement on Feb. 7 on Up & Adams.