Jets Country

Tyreek Hill Admits Why He Picked Trade to Dolphins Over Jets

Hey, must be the money!

Max Goodman

In this story:

It didn't last long, but there was a moment earlier this spring when it looked like the Jets could land wide receiver Tyreek Hill in a blockbuster trade.

New York was rumored to be in serious talks to acquire the Chiefs star wide receiver, reportedly willing to use the No. 10 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft in the deal. It was even reported that the Jets had a trade in place for Hill, but they fell short in the sweepstakes when the Dolphins swooped in, offering a lucrative extension.

Seven months later, ahead of a matchup against the team he was nearly traded to, Hill spoke about that process, admitting exactly why he ended up with the Dolphins. 

"It was very close to happening," Hill told reporters. "Just those state taxes man. I had to make a grown up decision."

Money talks. Surely Jets fans will appreciate the honesty...

Hill is playing well with his new team, helping to lead Miami to a 3-1 start in 2022. Their only loss came on Thursday when starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a scary head injury. Tagovailoa won't play against the Jets at MetLife Stadium this coming Sunday.

Across four games, Hill leads the Dolphins with 477 receiving yards and 31 catches. He's caught two touchdowns as well, one behind fellow playmaker Jaylen Waddle, who has 381 receiving yards and 21 receptions so far this season for Miami.

Meanwhile, the Jets are off to a bit of a surprising start, winning two of their first four games in dramatic fashion with comebacks in the fourth quarter.

That pick that the Jets were supposedly willing to use in a Hill trade also turned into rookie receiver Garrett Wilson, who has played very well through his first four NFL games. Wilson has racked up 255 receiving yards and two scores, both coming in New York's Week 2 victory over the Browns. 

Who knows how the Jets would've looked this season (and how they would've attacked the NFL Draft and free agency) had they acquired Hill in March. 

For now, it seems like both teams are doing fine in the aftermath of a blockbuster. New York has their wide receiver of the future as they build toward contention and the Dolphins have established themselves as a force, tied with the mighty Bills atop the AFC East as we head into October. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher  of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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