by In front of the DolphinsWeek 5 game against him Jet, Tyreek Hill reflected in the near-trade that would have sent him to join AFC East rival Miami.
Hill discussed the blockbuster deal that never happened while speaking to reporters on Monday, revealing that the move was reportedly “very close to happening.” As it turns out, the 28-year-old recipient revealed that the talks eventually ended due to a very important reason.
“It’s just those state taxes, man. I realized I had to make a grown-up decision,” Hill said. “And now I’m in the big city of Miami, you know, great weather, great people, beautiful people, I feel like. Well, here I am.”
As the former Chiefs star reported, the Jets were firmly in the mix for Hill’s services amid talk of his desire to leave Kansas City earlier this year. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on March 23 that New York offered Kansas City the No. 35, No. 38 and No. 69 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft in exchange for Hill and No. 103. Schefter reported also that at the time the Jets and Dolphins were the only teams in “serious talks” to acquire the All-Pro wideout.
Of course, those talks ultimately swung in Miami’s favor, as the club landed Hill later that day after offering a lucrative $120 million extension and a slew of assets.
Interestingly, Hill’s Monday comments offer a different perspective than the one he shared a day after becoming a Dolphin.
“How close was I? WHERE? 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,” he said then, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Regardless of the primary reason behind the botched trade, the Jets didn’t completely miss an opportunity to add talent to their receiving corps with the selection of tenth overall pick Garrett Wilson in April. But then again, the Ohio State product’s promising 255-yard, two-carry start to the year might not be enough to appease some members of the Gang Green given the alternative.
As for Hill, the six-time Pro Bowler currently leads the Dolphins with 31 receptions for 477 receiving yards along with two TDs, signaling he may have made the right career move long term. He will be looking to build on his strong start on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, where he will surely look to make a lasting impression in his premiership campaign of the season.
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