Patriots Linked to Potential Blockbuster Offseason Move

The Miami Dolphins made a significant roster decision on Monday by releasing veteran wide receiver Tyreek Hill. This move comes as the team undergoes changes, including a new coaching staff, and aims to manage upcoming contract guarantees that would have locked in substantial money for Hill. The release opens the door for the speedy playmaker to explore new opportunities as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.

Hill’s time in Miami began with a blockbuster trade from the Kansas City Chiefs in March 2022. He quickly became a centerpiece of the Dolphins’ offense, delivering exceptional production right away.

In his debut season with the team, he amassed 119 receptions for 1,710 yards and seven touchdowns, showcasing his elite speed and route-running ability.

The following year proved even more dominant for Hill. Appearing in 16 games during the 2023 campaign, he recorded another 119 catches, this time for 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns. Those figures placed him at the top of the NFL in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier wideouts.

In 2024, circumstances shifted somewhat due to challenges at the quarterback position. Tua Tagovailoa missed the first four games and the final two of the season, which impacted the passing attack. Despite that, Hill still contributed 81 receptions for 959 yards and six touchdowns, demonstrating his reliability even amid adversity.

The 2025 season brought a abrupt halt to Hill’s momentum. He suffered a severe knee injury—a dislocated knee and torn ACL—during week four against the New York Jets. This setback limited him to just four games, where he tallied 21 catches for 265 yards and one touchdown, and ultimately ended his tenure with the Dolphins as he required extensive rehabilitation.

Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Robert Griffin III wasted no time advocating for a specific landing spot for the newly available receiver. He took to X to make his case directly.

“The New England Patriots need to sign Tyreek Hill. Drake Maye was the best deep ball thrower in football this year. If Tyreek Hill gets back to 90% of what he was, the Patriots get a massive mismatch chess piece on their board,” Griffin wrote in a post.

Griffin’s suggestion highlights the potential synergy between Hill and the Patriots’ young quarterback, Drake Maye. Maye’s arm strength, particularly on deep throws, could pair well with Hill’s trademark speed, creating explosive opportunities downfield. Even a partial return to form for Hill could provide New England with a dynamic weapon to stretch defenses.

The Patriots have precedent for successfully integrating a veteran wide receiver coming off a major knee injury. Last offseason, they signed Stefon Diggs following his torn ACL suffered in October 2024. Diggs inked a three-year, $60 million contract, and many observers wondered about his recovery timeline and long-term effectiveness.

Diggs proved the skeptics wrong by performing at a high level in New England. He recorded 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 11.9 yards per catch. Beyond the statistics, he emerged as a valuable veteran presence in the receiver group, helping guide the team back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2018.

Pursuing Hill would represent another bold addition to the Patriots’ receiving corps, where he could join forces with existing talent to create mismatches. At 31 years old—turning 32 soon—his age and the nature of an ACL tear raise legitimate questions about his full recovery and explosiveness. Speed-dependent players often face steeper challenges returning from such injuries.

That said, the upside remains intriguing if Hill regains a significant portion of his previous form. He would offer another reliable target capable of stretching the field vertically and horizontally, complementing the offense built around Maye.

At the same time, the Patriots must weigh broader roster needs. While bolstering the wide receiver position with a proven talent like Hill could accelerate their competitive timeline, investing resources in other areas—such as the offensive line, defensive front, or additional playmakers—might address more pressing gaps for sustained success.

Any decision on Hill would involve balancing risk, reward, and cap implications in a competitive offseason landscape.