Miami Dolphins Release Star Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill

The move comes after four seasons with the team and a serious knee injury in 2025.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 12:23pm

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The Miami Dolphins have released eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Tyreek Hill, ending his high-profile tenure with the team. Hill, 31, had signed a reworked three-year, $90 million extension in 2024 but the Dolphins will now avoid his $51 million cap number for 2026 by cutting him. Hill was acquired in a 2022 trade from the Kansas City Chiefs and had two stellar seasons in Miami, including leading the NFL in receiving yards in 2023. However, a dislocated knee and torn ACL in Week 4 last season ended his year and his future with the team remains uncertain as he continues to rehab the injury.

Why it matters

The release of Tyreek Hill is a significant move for the Dolphins as they look to reshape their roster under new head coach Jeff Hafley. Hill was one of the most productive and explosive receivers in the league during his time in Miami, but his hefty contract and recent injury concerns made him expendable. This move frees up cap space for the Dolphins as they look to build around quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who may also face an uncertain future in Miami.

The details

The Dolphins will save roughly $22.8 million by releasing Hill before $11 million in guarantees kicked in for 2026. Over his four seasons in Miami, Hill totaled 340 catches for 4,733 yards and 28 touchdowns, including a career-best 1,799 receiving yards in 2023. However, the serious knee injury he suffered last season has put his future in doubt, as it remains unclear if he will be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign.

  • Hill suffered a dislocated knee and torn ACL in Week 4 of the 2025 season, ending his year.
  • Earlier this month, Hill shared that he had begun walking without a brace as he continues his rehab.

The players

Tyreek Hill

An eight-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2022 and had two highly productive seasons before suffering a serious knee injury in 2025.

Jeff Hafley

The new head coach of the Miami Dolphins, hired in January 2026 to replace Mike McDaniel.

Tua Tagovailoa

The Dolphins' starting quarterback who was benched late in the 2025 season in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers, despite having significant guaranteed money due in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“My focus right now is just playing ball and spending time with my kids and just doing what I'm best at: providing for my family. So all the noise, I feel like if you allow that kind of stuff to get in the way of what you're trying to do, it can only cloud what you're really trying to get”

— Tyreek Hill (kpua.net)

What’s next

Reports have suggested the Dolphins could explore options at quarterback after Tagovailoa was benched late last season, despite having significant guaranteed money due in 2026.

The takeaway

The release of Tyreek Hill marks a significant shift for the Dolphins as they look to rebuild their roster under new leadership. While Hill was a dominant force during his time in Miami, his hefty contract and recent injury concerns made him expendable as the team navigates an uncertain future at key positions like quarterback.