Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill appears to have one foot out the door following the team’s decision to bench starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins (6-8) officially turned the page Wednesday, naming rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers the starter for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The move follows a disappointing Week 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that effectively ended Miami’s playoff hopes.
Hill, who is currently sidelined while recovering from season-ending knee surgery, wasted little time sharing his reaction on social media. Shortly after reports of the benching surfaced, Hill posted a cryptic GIF on X, formerly Twitter, of a person using a peace sign before disappearing into thin air.
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) December 17, 2025
The post has ignited a firestorm of speculation regarding Hill’s future in South Florida. The star wideout followed up the “peace out” message by seemingly shifting blame for the offense’s regression, posting, “T stead fault he wanted to be a podcaster,” a reference to former Dolphins Pro Bowl tackle Terron Armstead, who retired last offseason.
A Season of Frustration
The benching of Tagovailoa marks a dramatic shift for a franchise that signed the quarterback to a four-year, $212.4 million extension in July 2024. Despite the investment, Tagovailoa struggled with consistency and injuries throughout the 2025 campaign, leading head coach Mike McDaniel to declare that “everything is on the table” earlier this week.
For Hill, the 2025 season has been equally tumultuous:
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Injury Woes: Hill suffered a dislocated knee and torn ligaments on Sept. 29, ending his season prematurely.
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Production Drop: Before his injury, Hill’s chemistry with Tagovailoa appeared to wane, with the receiver failing to reach his usual All-Pro benchmarks.
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Vocal Displeasure: Hill has previously expressed frustration with the team’s performance, telling reporters in January 2025, “I’m out,” before later clarifying those comments as “pure frustration.”
What’s Next for “The Cheetah”?
While Hill remains under contract through 2026, the financial and competitive landscape in Miami is shifting. Hill is set to count nearly $52 million against the salary cap in 2026—a staggering number for a team that may be heading toward a total rebuild.
If the Dolphins choose to move on, they could save between $23 million and $36 million in cap space, depending on the timing of a release or trade.
As the Dolphins evaluate Ewers over the final three games of the season, the focus in Miami has shifted from a playoff chase to an offseason that could see the departure of the team’s most explosive offensive duo.
