Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill To Seek Trade: Initial Reactions
The Chiefs have been relatively quiet this offseason. Sure, they’ve signed Juju Smith-Schuster and Justin Reid, but the big splash hasn’t been there yet this offseason. That could change soon, and not how Chiefs fans might hope. Reports out today confirm that extension talks have stalled between the Chiefs and Tyreek Hill. As a result, the team has given Hill and his agent permission to seek a trade.
Another blockbuster coming? Despite an offer from the #Chiefs that would make superstar Tyreek Hill one of the highest-paid receivers, extension talks have stalled and Kansas City has now given Hill’s agent permission to seek a trade, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2022
Hill has been a critical piece of the Chiefs’ elite offensive trio, alongside Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. It’s nothing short of shocking that the Chiefs might consider trading Hill this offseason and breaking up one of the greatest offensive cores the game has ever seen. Since entering the league in 2016, Hill has amassed 6,630 receiving yards and 56 touchdowns. Both marks are among the very best in the NFL. Immediate suitors in the Jets and Dolphins have already entered serious talks for the Chiefs’ elite wideout.
Jets and Dolphins are in serious talks to trade for Chiefs’ WR Tyreek Hill, per league sources. Hill and Chiefs are mulling what to do but Hill’s time in KC looks like it could be coming to an end. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2022
What would a return look like for Hill? Davante Adams was recently traded for a first (22nd overall) and a second-round pick in the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft. Adams is a year older than Hill and was tied to the Packers only by the franchise tag. The Packers lost some leverage after his reported refusal to play on the tag this season, forcing a trade. For this reason, a return for Hill should come in slightly higher than Adams.
The Chiefs still hold leverage with Hill, who doesn’t reach free agency until after the 2022 season. Any trade, of course, will also come with a hefty extension for Tyreek. Compensation for the Chiefs should include a minimum of two picks and possibly a player coming back. The Dolphins and Jets have talented young wide receivers in Jaylen Waddle and Elijah Moore. Both teams also have first-round picks, although only the Jets carry one early in the first. The Chiefs could use those picks to further solidify their wide receiver corps and target one of this year’s top wide receiver talents.
Could a return of a 2022 first-round pick (tenth overall), 2022 second-round pick (pick 35), and Elijah Moore be enough of a return for Brett Veach and the front office? The Chiefs offense without Hill looks much different, leaving a wide receiver corps of Juju Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, and Josh Gordon. Kansas City certainly looks to receive a talented young wide receiver back in any trade, making the Jets and Dolphins immediate suitors for the star wideout.
It’s not a happy sight for Chiefs fans but could be what’s best for the franchise’s future at the wide receiver position. Hill will be 28 next season and was on the field for the entire scoreless second half in the AFC Championship game. With nine games last season under 70 receiving yards, it’s possible that the Chiefs see the need to go a different route on offense to further reinvent themselves. The league notably implemented much more Cover 2 in 2021, putting a cap on the Chiefs’ deep passing attack and effectively capping Tyreek Hill’s upside.
Trade could happen soon, a lot of back-and-forth between the Chiefs and Tyreek Hill went into this. Kansas City basically sees Hill as “gone” at this point. https://t.co/aKpPXA1pJX — Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 23, 2022
If the Chiefs genuinely feel that an extension with Hill isn’t likely to happen, then trading him now is the best move. It doesn’t feel right, but sometimes the business side of the NFL comes with tough decisions.
What are your thoughts on the Tyreek Hill trade situation? Leave a comment down below to join the discussion.
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