Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Tyreek Hill signed off on Dolphins adding Eli Apple

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 7/31/23

The bad blood between Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and newly signed cornerback Eli Apple has been well-documented over the years.

That is why when the team wanted to sign Apple, a 27-year-old free agent with 78 games of starting experience, to bolster its cornerback depth with star Jalen Ramsey undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus and expected to miss a few months, Miami cleared it with Hill first, head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe.

Hill and Apple appear to have squashed whatever beef there was between the two. Apple even told reporters over the weekend that his first interaction with the speedy WR in the Dolphins locker room was a pleasant one.

"His locker is literally right across from mine," Apple said. "I saw him earlier today in the locker room, and we were chopping it up a little bit at the training and breakfast table. We all good. It's all love. We're on the same team. All love."

Never Forget when Tyreek Hill said this to Eli Apple just last year #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/vuimsTGU9U
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) July 29, 2023

The tension between the two players began during the AFC Championship Game two seasons ago when Apple, who then played for the Cincinnati Bengals, started trash-talking Hill, who was then with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Although Hill seemingly got the better of the matchup, finishing with seven receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown (including catching all three of his targets for 39 yards and two first downs when he was covered by Apple), the Bengals ultimately won the game in overtime to advance to the Super Bowl.

The two met again during Week 4 of the regular season last year, and Hill told reporters before the game that he “owed” Apple. The star wideout had another strong performance (10 receptions, 160 yards), but again, the Bengals won.

While Apple is not on the same level as Ramsey, he’s no slouch either. He’s totaled 335 tackles, 51 passes defensed, seven fumble recoveries, five interceptions and three forced fumbles. Apple has allowed a completion percentage of 60 or lower in three of his seven seasons, and the 58.2 completion percentage he surrendered last year was tied for 22nd among CBs who played 400 or more coverage snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

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