Dolphins' trade stance on Tyreek Hill is revealed

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill was the subject of trade rumors long before Miami opened the season with a humbling 33-8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 7. 

For an article published on Wednesday morning, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler mentioned that rumors regarding Hill "will be worth watching" ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline. 

Are Dolphins taking calls about Tyreek Hill's availability?

"My understanding is that Miami received calls on Hill but did not show interest in trading him," Fowler explained. "If the losing persists, perhaps those phone lines reopen. The Dolphins already exercised Hill's $15.85M option bonus, leaving a $10M base salary and $1.8M in per-game bonuses."

Before Fowler's update, stories shared earlier in the week linked Hill with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hill played for the Chiefs from 2016 until he was traded to Miami following the 2021 season. Both Kansas City and Pittsburgh could use an upgrade at the position following Week 1. 

Questions about Hill's future with the Dolphins arose earlier this year after he subbed himself out of the club's 2024 regular-season finale and then told reporters he was "out." He and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suggested as recently as last week that they've "been in a good spot for some time," but that was before Hill recorded just 40 yards on four catches in the blowout loss to the Colts. 

Will teams pass on trading for Tyreek Hill?

"It has been a long time since we've seen Hill be an explosive player," ESPN's Dan Graziano added for Wednesday's piece. "If he doesn't start playing better, it's going to be tough for the Dolphins to find a trade partner. Hill is also facing domestic violence allegations from his estranged wife, according to TMZ. In addition to being a serious non-football matter, the allegations could affect the interest of other teams in acquiring him if they result in any kind of NFL investigation and potential discipline."

According to ESPN, Hill's attorney said in a statement released on Monday that the allegations are part of a "shakedown" and "an attempt to generate bad media coverage" regarding the 31-year-old. That said, it's unclear if the accusations will cause clubs to reconsider giving up a draft asset for Hill before the deadline arrives. 

The winless Dolphins will host the 0-1 New England Patriots in Week 2 on Sunday. New England lost 20-13 at home against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.