Tyrann Mathieu, a former Kansas City Chiefs star familiar with championship success, is open to the idea of Tyreek Hill returning to the Chiefs. Following Hill‘s release by the Miami Dolphins on Monday, speculation about a reunion with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs has intensified. Mathieu, who shared a Super Bowl victory with Hill in 2020, publicly encouraged the possibility of Hill coming back to Kansas City.
Hill’s Injury and Declining Performance Leading to Release
Tyreek Hill’s release by the Dolphins comes as he continues to recover from a significant knee injury sustained during Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season, which included a dislocation, torn ACL, and further ligament damage. Before that, Hill’s performance had begun to taper, with 81 receptions for 959 yards and six touchdowns in 2024, marking a noticeable dip from his usual peak output.
Insight on Stability and Team Environment Offered by Mathieu
Mathieu highlighted the difference between Miami and Kansas City when discussing Hill’s prospects and potential fit moving forward. He suggested that the Chiefs’ environment might offer the stability Hill currently needs, contrasting it with Miami’s more chaotic setting in recent years. On his podcast, Mathieu said,
“I’m not counting him out,” Mathieu said. “Coming back being, you know, just as dominant as he was before. I think the next best thing for him is to find a quarterback and an offensive coordinator that likes him, that appreciates his talents, his gifts.”
“I know a lot of people gonna throw his name in the hat, as far as returning and linking back up with Mahomes, which I don’t count that out,” Mathieu added.
“I think it’s hard to get in trouble in Kansas City. Kansas City is not Miami. And so maybe that’s something he needs right now, to kind of get back to the Midwest, and to play for a coach who believes you.”
Chiefs’ Rebuilding Efforts Could Facilitate Hill’s Return
The Chiefs are currently in the midst of actively reshaping their roster and salary commitments. A recent restructuring of Patrick Mahomes’ contract transformed $54.45 million of his salary into a signing bonus, generating $43.65 million in salary cap space. Mahomes is recovering from his own ACL injury suffered late in the 2024 season, with a hopeful but uncertain return for Week 1. The status of tight end Travis Kelce also remains to be determined. Should Kelce, Mahomes, and Hill all return healthy, the NFL could witness the reassembly of the potent offensive trio that led Kansas City to their 2020 Super Bowl title.
Potential Impact of Hill’s Return on Chiefs’ Offense
Bringing Hill back would revive a dynamic element in the Chiefs’ offense familiar with sustained success. Mathieu’s perspective underscores the confidence in Hill’s abilities to regain his dominant form given the right circumstances. Hill’s recovery, coupled with the stability sought in Kansas City’s system, could provide both player and team with significant opportunities as the NFL season progresses. Chiefs fans remain attentive to roster updates that could signal the early return of a championship-winning offense.
