Dolphins release WR Tyreek Hill in flurry of roster moves

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins released Tyreek Hill on Monday as part of a series of roster moves that will free up significant space in the salary cap.

Former Pro Bowl linebacker Bradley Chubb was also informed of his pending release on Monday, according to multiple sources, although it was not specified whether the transaction would take place immediately or after the league year begins on March 11 and would be designated a post-June 1 transaction.

Miami also released offensive lineman James Daniels and receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on Monday.

In an Instagram post, Hill thanked the Dolphins, his teammates and the team’s fans. He also promised that his career would continue.

“Miami, you have become my home. But the journey doesn’t end there… Every chapter of life has taught me something. This one has taught me leadership, resilience, and most of all, gratitude. The love I have for this game is inexplicable. And right now, this offseason, for the first time ever, The Cheetah is completely on and locked in. Focused.

“The Cheetah is not slowing down. Ever. So for everyone wondering what’s next… just wait. The Cheetah will be back… Born Again,” he wrote.

The moves reflect the Dolphins’ new direction under first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and will save the team approximately $23 million in 2026. That figure will increase to $30 million if Chubb’s release is immediate.

Miami traded a first-round pick, a second-round pick, two fourth-round picks and a sixth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 to bring Hill to South Florida, and the Dolphins signed him to a four-year, $120 million extension. He instantly became the NFL’s most productive receiver, posting back-to-back 1,700-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023. That production declined in 2024, when he recorded 81 catches for 959 yards and six touchdowns.

Hill dislocated his knee and tore his ACL in Week 4 of the 2025 season and missed the remainder of the year. He turns 32 in March and is now a free agent for the first time in his 10-year career.

His four seasons in Miami were also mired by off-field problems, including multiple lawsuits and an incident in 2024 when he was dragged from his vehicle by Miami-Dade police officers outside Hard Rock Stadium just hours before the Dolphins’ regular-season opener.

A few months after trading for Hill, the Dolphins sent a first-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Chubb and signed him to a five-year, $110 million extension. He recorded his second career double-digit sack season with 11 in 2023, but suffered a significant right knee injury in Week 17, which included a torn ACL, meniscus and patellar tendon.

Chubb missed the entire 2024 season, but returned with a team-high 8.5 sacks in 2025, playing in all 17 games. He was team captain and won the local media’s “Good Guy” award for his constant availability and professionalism with the press.

Although his 10.5% pressure rate in 2025 is the third highest of his career, he was double-teamed on a career-high 23.1% of his pass rushes, which contributed to his career-low win rate of 7.8% last season. He also has a $31 million cap hit in 2026, turns 30 in June and tore ACLs in both knees during his eight-year NFL career.

Daniels was the Dolphins’ biggest signing of the 2025 offseason as he received a three-year, $24 million contract. However, he suffered a pectoral injury just three times into the season and missed the rest of the year.

Westbrook-Ikhine was also in his first season with Miami, signing a two-year, $5.99 million contract after scoring nine touchdowns for the Tennessee Titans in 2024. His production for the Dolphins was limited, however, as he caught just 11 passes for 89 yards.

While the Dolphins have now begun their rebuilding process, a decision has still not been made regarding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who carries a $56 million cap hit in 2026 with $54 million in guaranteed salary.

The 2020 first-round pick was benched late last season after throwing a career-high 15 interceptions in as many games. He signed a four-year, $212.1 million extension with Miami in 2024, marking the largest contract in franchise history. Sullivan has publicly stated several times that the Dolphins will look to add competition to their quarterback room, but will prioritize team building before finding their next franchise quarterback.