After starting 11-4 last year, the Dolphins went 1-7. They have struggled up the middle without Tua Tagovailoa. (And to be fair, the offense wasn’t quite as rampant as a Ferrari before Tua’s concussion.)
With the Chiefs suddenly in need of a new No. 1 receiver and with receiver Tyreek Hill visibly upset on the sideline late in Monday night’s ugly loss to the Giants, the idea is taking hold that the Dolphins could/should just trade Hill back to the Chiefs.
Although Hill’s postgame comments, even if he spoke to reporters, have yet to surface, coach Mike McDaniel was asked about Hill’s frustrations in garbage time.
“I would expect him to be visibly upset with somebody,” McDaniel told reporters. “A lot of times people can shout at him – he’s a leader and he wanted to do everything he could to make sure the result wasn’t that way. Inside the locker room, there are a lot of players who challenge each other and we got a chance to see what we’re all about.” certainly.
Hill may have already made a judgment call on what the Dolphins are “made of” for 2024. He may see a path toward getting another ring, while helping the Chiefs get a third in a row, by returning to Kansas City.
In addition to the trade compensation needed to back out of the deal that had the Dolphins giving the Chiefs a first-round pick, a second-round pick, two fourth-round picks, and a sixth-round pick to acquire in 2022, Miami would be a big cap hit for 2025 if they Hill’s trading cap now: $41.8 million.
They will also pay him an additional $24 million in August for the number of games he played before the trade. (The deadline arrives on the Tuesday after week nine.)
While it’s not impossible, the Chiefs would have to give up a lot to justify the financial ramifications for the Dolphins. And they’re already dealing with the potentially significant financial ramifications of Tua’s still-new contract, which carries no protection for the team regarding future concussions.
The Chiefs traded Hill away for a reason. They may not be inclined to offer the type of package that would see them part ways with the guy who is still their best player.
So, although it’s fun to connect the dots, it wouldn’t be fun for the dolphins to eat up all that money and space. It will not be fun for the leaders to concede what they would have to give to bring him back.
