Dolphins Facing $50 Million Question Over Tyreek Hill Contract

Miami must decide whether to keep or cut the veteran wide receiver due to his massive salary.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Miami Dolphins are facing a major offseason decision regarding wide receiver Tyreek Hill's $51 million contract for the 2026 season. With Hill coming off an injury and turning 32 years old, the Dolphins must weigh whether to keep the expensive veteran or release him, which would result in a $28 million dead cap charge if done before June 1st.

Why it matters

The Dolphins have a number of high-priced contracts to manage this offseason, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's $99 million decision. Cutting or trading the costly Hill could help the team create salary cap space to address other roster needs, but it would also come at a significant financial cost.

The details

Tyreek Hill is owed $51 million against the Dolphins' 2026 salary cap, making him an expensive veteran to keep on the roster. If the Dolphins release Hill before June 1st, they would incur a $28 million dead cap charge. However, a post-June 1st designation would spread the dead cap hit over two years, with only $15 million in 2026 and $35 million in 2027.

  • Tyreek Hill will turn 32 years old in March 2026.

The players

Tyreek Hill

A veteran wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins who is owed $51 million against the 2026 salary cap.

Tua Tagovailoa

The Dolphins' $214 million quarterback whose future is also a major offseason question for the team.

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What they’re saying

“Turning 32 in March and owed a whopping $51 million against the cap next year, Hill would be a very expensive veteran to keep on the roster.”

— Bradley Locker, PFF.com (sportingnews.com)

What’s next

The Dolphins will need to decide on Hill's future before the start of the 2026 league year, as they must determine whether to keep him at his high salary or release him and incur the significant dead cap charge.

The takeaway

The Dolphins' decision on Tyreek Hill's contract is just one of several high-profile offseason questions the team must address, including the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Cutting Hill could provide salary cap relief, but at a steep financial cost, highlighting the difficult roster decisions facing the Dolphins this offseason.