The general feeling around the Miami Dolphins and Tyreek Hill, ahead of the 2025 season, was tense, but few would have predicted just how bad things would go in Week 1. Less than two years since Mike McDaniel’s side famously hit the Denver Broncos for 70 points, the Indianapolis Colts embarrassed an almost identical offense in Week 1.
The Dolphins lost 33-8, scoring their first and only points with 6 minutes and 21 seconds left in the fourth quarter. One of the most memorable images from the game was star receiver Hill’s precise moment of frustration while on the Miami bench. That image has led to more trade rumors regarding the player, who has had a frosty relationship with his team for months. But which teams would be interested in making a move for the controversial, yet elite, playmaker?
Kansas City Chiefs
From a football standpoint, this one may make the most sense. The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to bounce back after an embarrassing collapse in Super Bowl 59. The Chiefs were thumped 40-22 in New Orleans and have already lost their opening game of the 2025 season.
Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy are both great receivers, but Rice is out until Week 7 through suspension, and Worthy is nursing a worrying shoulder injury. Hill would offer all the speed that Worthy does when healthy, and allow the team to prioritize their young star’s health while remaining competitive.
A financial compromise would need to be met, as Kansas City would have no realistic way of paying Hill’s eye-catching salary. A one-year deal, with added void years, would potentially give the Chiefs enough room to tempt Hill to return, and allow the receiver to get paid again in 2026.
San Francisco 49ers
Many suggested that the San Francisco 49ers had missed their Super Bowl window after failing to capitalize on Brock Purdy’s rookie contract. The historic franchise had been to four NFC championship games and two Super Bowls in the six years before the 2025 season and underwent considerable changes in the offseason.
Several star defensive players moved on in free agency, but the team will be confident after an opening-weekend win over its fierce rivals, the Seattle Seahawks. Jauan Jennings’ shoulder injury is apparently healing well, while second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall has made significant strides since entering the league.
TYREEK HILL 42 YARD TOUCHDOWN 🐆 pic.twitter.com/vzl4RvXz2u
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However, the 49ers were seemingly reluctant to offer Jennings an improved deal ahead of the season, and star receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s injury issues have really hurt the team. Hill would provide a downfield threat for Purdy and make the 49ers one of the most feared passing attacks in the league when George Kittle returns later in the year.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders signalled to the entire NFL with their offseason activity that they were fully committed to winning in the short term with Jayden Daniels. The 2024 surprise package added veteran stars Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel to their offense, and eventually signed Terry McLaurin to an improved contract.
Those moves paid off in Week 1, in a 21-6 victory over the New York Giants, but the team is set to face far more daunting opponents over the rest of the year. Adding Hill to play opposite Terry McLaurin would be a nightmare for opposing defenses, and allow Samuel and tight end Zach Ertz to dominate the short areas.
The Commanders can be competitive without Hill, but have already shown a willingness to capitalize on their quarterback’s rookie deal. Hill is the kind of luxury acquisition that makes sense for a good team with cap space to spend.
Las Vegas Raiders
Pete Carroll is unlikely to want to hang around with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Seahawks legend became the oldest coach in NFL history when his new team beat the New England Patriots in Week 1.
Carroll’s best years in Seattle featured some of the very best players in the NFL, including Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Marshawn Lynch. The Raiders added Brock Bowers in the 2024 NFL Draft, to tremendous effect, and also Ashton Jeanty and Geno Smith this offseason via the draft and a trade, respectively.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has publicly expressed his desire to be traded away from the team, making him a potential bargaining chip in a trade for Hill. If Carroll is serious about winning now with the Raiders, Hill could be a no-brainer after Amari Cooper’s retirement.
Denver Broncos
If not the Chiefs or the Raiders, Hill could find himself back in the AFC West with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are Super Bowl contenders in 2025 and boast one of the league’s best defenses, if not the very best.
TYREEK HILL 80 YARDS TOUCHDOWN WOOOOW pic.twitter.com/WttrPsFwNg
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Denver has repeatedly tried, and failed, to find a suitable receiving partner for Courtland Sutton. Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin, Devaughn Vele, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey all failed to emerge from the pack in 2024.
Third-round rookie Pat Bryant is the new hope for the team, but the Broncos are ready to win now. Adding Hill to their passing attack would push them from contenders to one of the favorites.
