EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLAS VEGAS -- For weeks, Tyreek Hill has posted videos of himself during training sessions. Many of them have featured Hill on a South Florida beach displaying his speed, quickness and ability to change directions. Hill posted another clip Monday, this one with him on a bench working on his footwork and catching a football while wearing a helmet."Smooth like butter," Hill said on his Instagram story.Hill, who hasn't played in an NFL game in more than a year, has demonstrated -- in video after video -- his eagerness to return to the league. Over the past few months, Hill has observed the encouraging responses from a particular group of players: his former teammates with the Chiefs, the team with which he became a three-time All-Pro before being traded to the Miami Dolphins."Keep going brotha!" quarterback Patrick Mahomes wrote on Hill's Instagram post in late July.Tight end Travis Kelce responded, too -- posting four cheetahs, Hill's nickname, and three fire emojis.Even as far back as February, defensive tackle Chris Jones used his X account to send a message to Hill: "Cheetah it's time."Jones wasn't afraid to mention Hill's name again Sunday in the Chiefs' locker room after the team's comeback win over the Las Vegas Raiders, offering his support for a reunion between Hill and the franchise. The Chiefs and Hill, who is a free agent, could agree to restart their partnership later this week. During his recovery from a dislocated left knee and multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL, in Week 4 of 2025, Hill has remained fond of the Chiefs, according to multiple sources with knowledge of his situation. The sources say he knows the Chiefs are a logical team with which he can begin the third chapter of his career.The Chiefs are in need of a receiver, too, especially after Sunday's game. Receiver Tyquan Thornton is out indefinitely after suffering a dislocated left ankle and receiver. Rashee Rice also sustained a right hamstring injury and left the game in the first quarter. Thornton and Rice have been the Chiefs' best receivers through the first four games, combining to generate 24 receptions on 31 targets for 409 yards and three touchdowns. And Thornton had his best game before the injury, catching five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns."Hm," Hill wrote on his X account Sunday after the game.Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Monday he planned to begin negotiating a deal for the 10-year veteran with multiple teams. The Chiefs have maintained contact with Hill and are among the options."I would anticipate Tyreek potentially signing with a team over the next few days," Rosenhaus told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Hill has watched each of the Chiefs' four victories this season. At times, Hill has been willing to publicly flirt with rejoining the Chiefs. He used his Snapchat account early in the offseason to show that he was back in Kansas City to visit family members and to continue his rehab. Hill's profile photo, of course, showed him in a Chiefs uniform. In June, Hill even made an appearance in Jefferson City, Mo., autographing items for Chiefs fans."KC I missed you," Hill wrote on his Snapchat account. "See you soon."Even before the injuries to Thornton and Rice, a team source said the Chiefs had been monitoring and receiving updates on Hill's rehab and training sessions. The team believes Hill is targeting a November return to the field. With an in-season signing, the Chiefs' deal with Hill could be a one-year contract with plenty of incentives. Entering Monday, the Chiefs had just over $3 million salary cap space."Tyreek Hill would like to come back [to Kansas City]," Schefter said in Monday's episode of "Get Up." Schefter later added: "The players support Tyreek Hill coming back."Hill began his career in Kansas City, playing alongside Mahomes and Kelce for six seasons and helped the Chiefs become one of the league's most potent offenses. Known for his speed and tracking the ball on deep passes, Hill was the perfect receiver for Mahomes' rare arm strength. Hill scored 62 total touchdowns during his time with the Chiefs, which included him playing a major role in the team's comeback victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, the franchise's first championship in 50 years.If the Chiefs and Hill can agree to a deal, he will also be reunited with coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who joined the team in the offseason. The familiarity with Reid, Bieniemy and the Chiefs' offense -- including its terminology -- could help ease Hill's transition back onto the field. Without Thornton's production, the Chiefs could use Hill's route running ability to help give Mahomes an answer to man-to-man coverage from opposing defenses, an issue the offense has struggled with in the past to find solutions.Several analysts have argued that the Chiefs offer Hill the best chance -- considering playing time, a defined role within the offense and the opportunity to help a contender continue to have success -- to reestablish himself in the league. A one-year deal would also allow Hill to be a free agent again next year for him to potentially earn a more lucrative contract.In 2022, the Chiefs traded Hill to the Miami Dolphins for five draft picks. The Chiefs have not had a 1,000-yard wide receiver since then.After signing a four-year, $120 million extension with the Dolphins, Hill was one of the league's most productive receivers in 2022 and 2023. He was able to record more than 1,700 yards in both seasons and scored 21 total touchdowns during that stretch. In February, the Dolphins released him -- a decision that cleared significant salary cap space -- as part of their rebuild under a new coach and general manager.Last September, Hill's estranged wife, Keeta Vaccaro, alleged eight separate incidents of domestic violence in filings related to the couple's divorce case, according to documents obtained by TMZ. Hill has denied the claims.Prior to his injury last season, Hill was still able to account for more than half of the Dolphins' air yards (53.5%). His three deep receptions -- of 20 air yards or more -- almost matched his total from 2024 (four), according to Next Gen Stats.At age 32, and after the most significant injury in his career, Hill is confident he can still be an impactful player."Bro 32 is not old," Hill wrote on his X account last week. "Still prime years."
