It seemed like a certainty that Tyreek Hill was heading back to the Kansas City Chiefs, but that’s no longer the case.
After the Chiefs lost Tyquan Thornton to a serious ankle injury, most fans assumed they’d pursue Hill in free agency. Not only does he know Andy Reid’s system, he’d give them another speedster on the perimeter. And yet, it doesn’t sound like Kansas City’s front office is eager to reach an agreement with Hill.
According to The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones, the Chiefs aren’t in a rush to sign Hill to a deal. He also said the team is “sniffing around” the wide receiver market ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
If the Chiefs acquire a wide receiver via trade, that’ll most likely slam the door shut on Hill’s potential return to Kansas City.
“The health of Hill’s knee is one factor. The money will be another, as no one expects him to sign a veteran minimum deal. And then there’s the potential NFL discipline. Put those in whatever order you’d like, but nothing seems imminent,” Jones added.
© Gregory Fisher
Two factors could complicate matters for Tyreek.
For starters, a Miami jury found Hill liable for two counts of battery. His estranged wife, Lakeeta Vaccaro Hill, accused him of getting violent with her in January 2024.
“Keeta previously accused Tyreek of punching her in the stomach while she was pregnant with their child, also of him spitting on her, pulling out her hair, violently twisting her breasts, locking her out of her home, physically restraining her, and threatening her life. Tyreek denied wrongdoing and claims that any actions were done in self-defense,” TMZ reported. “She said there is a nanny cam video that shows Tyreek’s violence towards her and her mother, which she claims his team tried to buy for several hundred thousand dollars.”
Vaccaro has been awarded $500,000 in compensatory damages. Hill, meanwhile, referred to most of her claims as “false allegations.”
The second issue that can’t be ignored is Hill’s health. He’s coming off a dislocated knee and torn ACL. If that seriously impacted his speed, he won’t be viewed as a star playmaker anymore.
