The Miami Dolphins made a seismic change Wednesday, benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with three games remaining in the season and immediately raising questions about his future with the franchise.
If Tyreek Hill’s reaction is any indication, he may have played his final snap in Miami as well.
Hill tweeted a popular GIF showing a person flashing the peace sign and disappearing — effectively a “peace out” — shortly after news broke that Tagovailoa was being benched in favor of Quinn Ewers.
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) December 17, 2025
Hill suffered a season-ending leg injury earlier in the season, which already put his future with the Dolphins in question.
Here's a look at what could come next for Hill as the Dolphins enter a pivotal offseason.
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What's next for Tyreek Hill?
Hill's future with the Dolphins came into question after the 2024 season, when comments he made after Miami's final game indicated he might be looking to move on. Both sides ultimately continued their partnership into 2025, but with Hill recovering from a major injury and the Dolphins at least bringing in a new general manager this offseason, a split could be on the horizon.
Is Tyreek Hill leaving the Dolphins?
Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was noncommittal about his client’s return to the Dolphins when asked in November.
“I guess that depends on Tyreek and that depends on the Dolphins,” Rosenhaus said. “I haven’t had any discussions with the Dolphins yet about Tyreek or his future with the team. I’m sure we’ll have those discussions after the season.”
The Dolphins could save money by releasing Hill after the season, though they would still have to absorb a dead-cap hit in 2026, so it wouldn’t be a clean break. With a new general manager coming in and Tagovailoa’s future with the team uncertain, 2026 could be an ideal time for both sides to move on.
Is Tyreek Hill retiring?
Hill said after his injury that retirement could be on the table this offseason, though he continues to rehab.
"At the end of the day, I feel like that decision is based upon how I feel and where my mindset is at the moment," Hill said in October. "I'm happy with the career that I've had. I love playing football. I love it, but it takes a lot. It takes a lot on you mentally, it takes a lot on you physically."
Hill explained that he needs to have a conversation with his family before making a decision on his playing future, though his timeline to decide is unclear.
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What happened to Tyreek Hill?
Hill suffered a dislocated knee and multiple ligament tears, including a torn ACL, during a game against the New York Jets in September.
After Hill underwent surgery, Rosenhaus said returning in time for the start of the 2026 season was realistic for his client. "There is no nerve damage, no blood flow issues, no broken bones, the cartilage is fine," Rosenhaus said.
Update from Drew Rosenhaus on Tyreek Hill post-surgery: “All of the torn ligaments went back into place, there is no nerve damage, there is no blood flow issues or broken bones and his knee cartilage is fine- the goal is for him to be ready next season.” #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/pg4JgydovM
— Josh Moser (@TheMozKnowz) September 30, 2025
Hill, however, made it clear he still has to decide whether he wants to continue playing. If he does, he could have a fresh start outside of South Florida.
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Tyreek Hill injury update
Hill is continuing to rehab his knee after suffering multiple ligament tears when he dislocated it against the Jets in September.
While the injury looked gruesome and can be severe, Hill should be able to return to the field in 2026 because he says he didn't suffer any nerve damage or issues with his blood flow. A typical ACL tear recovery can take 8-12 months, though it wouldn't be surprising for Hill to be on the later end of that timeline given he tore multiple ligaments.
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Tyreek Hill contract
Hill is in the second year of a three-year, $90 million contract extension he signed with the Dolphins.
While the 31-year-old carries a nearly $52 million cap hit in 2025, according to Spotrac, only a portion is guaranteed. The Dolphins can release Hill as a pre-June 1 cut and save more than $23 million while absorbing more than $28 million in dead cap money in 2026, or they can designate him as a post-June 1 cut and spread the dead cap hit over 2026 and 2027 while saving $36 million in 2026.