Veteran receiver Tyreek Hill wants to stay in Miami and remain with the Dolphins, with the eight-time Pro Bowl selection expressing regret about his comments suggesting he wanted out.
Hill said he doesn’t want to play for another team when asked Friday on the “Up & Adams” show about his remarks after Miami’s regular-season finale against the New York Jets last month, when the Dolphins were eliminated from playoff contention.
The 2024 season was Hill’s third with the Dolphins, who acquired him from the Kansas City Chiefs in March 2022 for multiple draft picks.
“I love it,” Hill said Friday about being in Miami. “My family loves it. Kids absolutely love being on the beach every morning. We are really building something special in Miami. We made it to the playoffs the first two years. Obviously this year was hard, but if guys continue to buy in to what Coach (Mike McDaniel) is building and the culture that he is trying to build, it’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
A frustrated Hill pulled himself out of the second half of Miami’s loss to the Jets on Jan. 5 when it became clear his team would not clinch a playoff berth.
Not happy with missing the postseason for the first time in his nine-year NFL career, Hill said afterward: “For me, I have to do what’s best for me and my family, if that’s here or wherever the case may be. I’m (going to) open that door for myself. I’m opening the door.
“I’m out, bro. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I’ve got to do what’s best for my career. … I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there.”
The six-time All-Pro selection — with all but one of those a first-team honor — walked back those comments Friday.
“I could have handled the situation better,” Hill said. “Instead of saying ‘I’m out,’ I could have obviously handled it better. And I wish I did. But in the heat of the moment, I just said whatever I had to say. And I’m taking full accountability of that.”
After leading the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards in the 2023 season, Hill finished this season with just 959 on 81 catches. It was the first time he didn’t have 1,000 receiving yards since he had 860 with Kansas City in an injury-filled 2019 season. It was also his fewest receptions since he had 58 in that same season.
Injuries to Dolphins starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa contributed to Hill’s lack of production. Tagovailoa missed a career-high six games in 2024, including the loss to the Jets.
Hill said he has since spoken to Dolphins veterans such as left tackle Terron Armstead, cornerback Jalen Ramsey and running back Raheem Mostert, and he offered a public apology Friday to his teammates while specifically mentioning Tagovailoa.
“Tua, he’s my guy — always will be, no matter what,” Hill said. “I’m sure he understands my frustration, we all want to win … this is my public apology to you, Tua. I love you bro.”
He also spoke with McDaniel, who in his news conference to wrap up the season described the conversation as necessary to “clear the air in a rough and tumultuous situation.”
Hill said he regretted putting his coach in a tough position.
“Me and coach’s exit interview was very intense,” Hill said. “It was good, though, it gave me insight of exactly how he sees everything. As one of his leaders, man, I can’t put my head coach through that. He already has enough things to worry about.”
Hill, who turns 31 next month, agreed to a restructured contract between the 2023 and 2024 seasons that raised his four-year total of fully guaranteed money to $106.5 million. His contract runs through 2026.