Tyreek Hill insists he never asked for a trade from the Dolphins

In the 2024 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins faced a challenging year that culminated in the team's failure to reach the playoffs. Star receiver Tyreek Hill expressed frustration after a devastating loss to the New York Jets. Following the game, Hill hinted at a desire to move on from the Dolphins, stating that it was his first time missing the playoffs and emphasizing the importance of making decisions that were best for his career and family. Meanwhile, that week, Hill met with team general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel, who clarified that Hill never formally requested a trade despite his emotional comments. Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, characterized Hill's comments as a genuine expression of his competitive spirit, noting that they stemmed from his disappointment with not participating in the playoffs for the first time in his professional career. Rosenhaus revealed that Hill had actually played through a broken wrist throughout the season, a significant injury he sustained during training camp. Doctors advised Hill to undergo surgery, which he opted against, demonstrating his commitment to the team despite the pain and risk to his career. This persistence was highlighted as part of Hill's character as a team player who is passionate about winning. The Dolphins, having had a promising start to the season at 2-6, managed to keep their playoff hopes alive until Week 18. Hill's declining performance, with only 81 catches in a season where he was clearly hindered by his injury, raised questions about his future with the franchise. The team did express their investment in him, with Grier stating that Hill is a valuable asset to the organization. However, Miami's season ending without playoff participation added strain to team dynamics, prompting conversations about accountability and leadership from both players and coaching staff. The Dolphins hoped to rectify any internal issues ahead of the next season, focusing on restructuring team expectations to ensure better performance. As the season concluded, Hill's situation became a focal point, and his emotional comments underscored the need for improvement from the Dolphins. The organization faced a crossroads, needing to address not just player frustrations, but also the overall team performance, which fell short of their own standards. The reception of Hill's statements by the Dolphins coaching staff indicated serious introspection regarding how to better support their star player and re-engage him going forward as a key component of their future success.