The Tyreek Hill trade talks rapidly culminated with the Miami Dolphins acquiring the Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver for multiple draft picks. Before that deal struck, another AFC East squad appeared to be in the running.
On Wednesday afternoon, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Dolphins and New York Jets both had proposals in place for Hill. Kansas City was willing to accept either offer, so it was a matter of where a “torn” Hill wanted to go.
The day after formally making up his mind, Hill recalled events far differently.
Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the speedy wideout said he wanted to play for the Dolphins all along.
“How close was I? Who? The Jets?” Hill asked in response to if he nearly chose Gang Green. “I knew I was going to pick Miami no matter what because I’m basically from here, I’m here all the time. This is home for me, for us.”
Tyreek Hill asked how close he was to picking the #Jets: “How close was I? Who? The Jets? … I knew I was going to pick Miami no matter what because I’m basically from here, I’m here all the time. This is home for me, for us.”
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 24, 2022
As Garafolo later speculated, Hill and the Chiefs probably didn’t convey this same message to the Dolphins.
I would venture to say this was not communicated to the Dolphins in quite the same manner during the negotiations, yes.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 24, 2022
According to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post, agent Drew Rosenhaus said the Jets had a deal in place for Hill before the Dolphins got involved.
Garafolo added that the Jets then began working on a contract extension, but Miami “stepped up at some point and then it was only a matter of time” before Hill landed in South Beach.
My understanding is the #Jets and #Chiefs reached an agreement on Monday. NYJ then went to work on a contract with Hill. The #Dolphins stepped up at some point and then it was only a matter of time before it would be Miami. https://t.co/eaFN49K7Q9
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 24, 2022
According to Schefter, the Jets offered picks No. 35, 38, and 69 for Hill and pick No. 103. Kansas City instead accepted picks No. 29, 50, and 121, plus 2023 fourth- and sixth-round selections from Miami.
Hill’s comments could be a case of revisionist history, or the Jets were simply pawns to leverage the Dolphins into a better offer. Either way, they’ll have to look elsewhere to find a significant pass-catching upgrade for second-year quarterback Zach Wilson.
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