The Miami Dolphins are going to look very different in 2026.
Miami is releasing five-time All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill in a move to save money against the salary cap, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. It's the second time on Feb. 16 that the Dolphins are parting ways with a high-profile player – reports of Hill's release came less than two hours after reports that the Dolphins were releasing edge rusher Bradley Chubb.
Miami was set to enter the offseason $17.4 million over the NFL's salary cap for 2026, according to OverTheCap. Hill's cap hit for 2026 is listed at $51.1 million.
In releasing their top receiver, the Dolphins will save $22.9 million in cap space while eating a $28.2 million dead cap hit in 2026. Miami could save as much as $35.2 million if it designates Hill as a post-June 1 release, but it would push some of the dead cap from the wideout's contract into 2027.
Hill played in 54 games over four seasons in Miami. During his Dolphins tenure, Hill caught 340 passes for 4,733 yards and 27 touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro first team in both of his first two years in Miami. In 2023, he led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns.
The eight-time Pro Bowler missed most of the 2025 season after dislocating his knee and tearing his ACL in a Week 4 game against the New York Jets.
Hill will hit the free agent market on the back of that lost season and free to sign with any team days after his 32nd birthday on March 1. He joins a list of standout pending free agent receivers that includes Deebo Samuel, Christian Kirk and Jauan Jennings.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolphins release Tyreek Hill after four seasons. Here's why