The Tyreek Hill trade of the 2022 offseason absolutely floored NFL pundits and fans alike. Why would the Kansas City Chiefs, a team at the peak of its window to compete for Super Bowl titles, trade away one of the best players in the league? When the opportunity arose, the Miami Dolphins jumped at the chance to acquire a weapon unlike any other in the league. But what did it take, and why did the opportunity present itself in the first place?
Tyreek Hill trade details from Chiefs to Dolphins
The Kansas City Chiefs received quite a haul for the team’s superstar wide receiver. What exactly did the team get from Dolphins general manager Chris Grier?
Chiefs return
- 2022 first-round pick (originally from SF)
- 2022 second-round pick
- 2022 fourth-round pick
- 2023 fourth-round pick
- 2023 sixth-round pick
Dolphins return
- Wide receiver Tyreek Hill
In addition to sending draft capital, the Dolphins awarded Hill with a four-year contract extension worth a total of $120 million and $72.2 million in guarantees.
Why did the Chiefs trade Hill?
Most trades of franchise cornerstones who are among the NFL’s best at their position occur for one of two reasons: the player wants out, or the player wants more money than the team is willing to give.
The Tyreek Hill trade constituted a prime example of the latter. Already having doled out nearly half a billion dollars to franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs only had so much flexibility when it came to what they could give Hill when it came time to extend his contract. Kansas City attempted to reach a deal with Hill that would make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league, but it wasn’t enough to keep him from requesting a trade.
Once news of Hill’s trade request hit the airwaves, it became clear that two teams had reached the top of the heap of potential suitors — the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets. The Chiefs had approved trade offers from either partner, leaving it up to Hill to select his destination. When all the chips were on the table, Hill chose Miami.
Kansas City’s willingness to part with Hill as opposed to acquiescing to his contract demands seemed, in part, to stem from the team’s understanding that its offense could survive without him. Sure, Hill was one of the league’s best mismatches during his time catching passes from Patrick Mahomes. Still, the team also appeared to acknowledge a willingness to spread the ball more, involve its other pass catchers, and keep defenses guessing as to who Mahomes would lean on each week.
Miami, meanwhile, acquired one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons. Hefty price aside, it’s tough to ever balk at the chance to add such an explosive element to an offense that was in need of juice alongside young stud Jaylen Waddle.