Tyreek Hill stands out as the one star receiver who wouldn't make sense for the Packers, unless one unlikely scenario happens
The Green Bay Packers could have traded for DK Metcalf, but didn't. They could have traded for Brandon Aiyuk, but didn't. There were some fine, even though not great options in free agency, and the only move was signing wide receiver/return specialist Mecole Hardman to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. And when we wrote that […]
The Green Bay Packers could have traded for DK Metcalf, but didn't. They could have traded for Brandon Aiyuk, but didn't. There were some fine, even though not great options in free agency, and the only move was signing wide receiver/return specialist Mecole Hardman to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. And when we wrote that Aiyuk was the final chance of adding an elite veteran receiver, some people reminded us that Tyreek Hill might be the next target.
Well, that's the one that truly doesn't make sense for the Packers at this point.
Yes, Hill has been insanely productive for the Miami Dolphins. Yes, his speed is an element that any offense would love to have. But at this point of his career and based on everything that comes with him, it's something that the Packers wouldn't probably do. Like, never.
Contract is the main reason
Tyreek Hill is actually in his second contract with the Dolphins. When he was acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs, he signed a four-year, $120 million deal. Then last year he agreed to a three-year, $90 million extension.
And that changes the dynamics of the situation. In 2025, he is slated to make $27.65 million. Next year, his salary jumps to $36 million, but there are no guarantees before the third day of the 2026 league year. Essentially, it would be a one-year rent for almost $30 million—plus the draft pick necessary to take him off the Dolphins.
"When you trade a high pick for a veteran player, you're trading a young, really good contract for a player who's proven, but probably expensive, so you're giving up a pick and salary cap space," general manager Brian Gutekunst said after the season. "You gotta weigh that. If it's the right player, if you can feel he can be a dynamic player that can change your football team, you gotta consider that, because there's not many of those guys out there. But you also have to understand what you're giving up."
In his prime, Tyreek Hill would certainly be that transformative type of player. But this point takes us to the next chapter.
Age and signs of decline
Hill is obviously still a very productive offensive weapon. Last season, even with Tua Tagovailoa missing six games (and the dire Dolphins backup quarterback situation), the star receiver still finished the year with 81 catches for 959 yards and six receiving touchdowns.
That's some sort of decline after he had had two 1,700-receiving yard seasons in Miami, but it's still excellent—more than any Packers receiver did.
But Tyreek is 31 years old already. While his athleticism makes him a special receiver, it's hard and almost unprecedented (excluding Jerry Rice) to see receivers playing at a high level in their 30s. Sure, Hill can still have one or two solid years, but Green Bay (or any acquiring team) would be paying for past production, something that Gutekunst philosophically is against doing. And rightfully so.
Digging into Hill's underlying stats, you could see clear signs of regression. In 2024, he had 1.75 yards per route run, the first time in his career where he stayed below 2.0. In his previous two seasons with the Dolphins, he had had 3.20 and 3.82 YRR. For the first time in his NFL career, Hill generated a passer rating when targeted under 100 (97.1). The receiver also committed a career-high seven penalties.
The only scenario where it would be minimally realistic for the Packers to acquire Hill is if the Dolphins are willing to trade him away for an extremely low draft compensation, just to get rid of the contract. Even then, it’s questionable if Green Bay would pull the trigger because of his high salary—and for the Dolphins it doesn’t make sense to trade the wide receiver for low draft compensation and take a part of his salary at the same time.
The Packers would probably want to invest in a top weapon if the opportunity presented itself. But if they weren’t willing to spend on Metcalf and Aiyuk, there’s no realistic path for them to be comfortable enough to pay Tyreek Hill. And it’s hard to blame them.
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