Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) runs after making a catch against the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Why the Raiders Shouldn’t Consider Tyreek Hill Signing

Originally posted on Las Vegas Raiders on SI
By Fernando Alfaro-Donis | Last updated Feb 16, 2026 2:00 PM ET

The Miami Dolphins have released star veteran wide receiver Tyreek Hill, after he had signed his huge contract to join the team in 2022. Hill is now potentially on his way to a third team in his career, after he ended last season with a severe knee injury.

The Las Vegas Raiders are a team that has a huge need at wide receiver. Brock Bowers is their best pass-catcher, but they lack a wide receiver who can run alongside him and take some of that pressure off. Why shouldn't they be looking Hill's way?

The Wrong Star To Chase After

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The most glaring reason why this signing would make no sense is that both parties are not on the same page. Hill is 31 years old, and he's a receiver who relies on his speed. That aspect of his game may never come back to him due to his injury, which means he's looking for a team that could win a Super Bowl next season.

As much as I love to harp on the Raiders' potential under Klint Kubiak, not even I can see a path to them winning the Super Bowl in 2026. Ideally, it could be like the Washington Commanders in Jayden Daniels's rookie season, but they didn't even make it past the NFC Championship Game. I don't think Hill would be willing to be with a team that needs at least a couple of offseasons of incredible signings to get into Super Bowl form.

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Secondly, is Hill the kind of receiver that Fernando Mendoza needs in his rookie season? This aligns with my first point, but Hill is still a star in the NFL, and thus would likely like to receive a target share similar to one.

However, it would be more beneficial for the Raiders' future if Mendoza forms a connection with the receivers he'll be throwing to for the foreseeable future. Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. will play the majority of their rookie contract with Mendoza as their signal caller, and the Raiders would rather them form a connection sooner rather than later.

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There are benefits to having Hill on the Raiders roster, but I don't think they outweigh the cons of signing him. The Raiders have plenty of cap space, but that also means they can't use it frivolously. Hill isn't the star they should be chasing after this offseason. They need someone younger, and whose skillset isn't at the point where it's already deteriorating.

This article first appeared on Las Vegas Raiders on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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