Tyreek Hill’s knee recovery meets an uncertain 2026

Tyreek Hill remains unsigned after the Miami Dolphins released him in a salary cap-related move, and his 2026 future hinges on whether he can return from a dislocated left knee and torn ligaments that ended his 2025 season. Four teams—Kansas City, Atlanta, the

By the time NFL spring workouts roll on across the league. the field gets crowded with familiar movement—except for one player. Tyreek Hill hasn’t shown up in any team OTAs so far. because he’s still a free agent after the Miami Dolphins released him in a salary cap-related transaction near the start of the league year in March.

Hill’s absence carries extra weight because it isn’t just about timing or contract talks. Last September. in a Week 4 game against the New York Jets. he suffered a dislocated left knee and tore multiple ligaments around his knee. including the ACL. He underwent surgery to repair the season-ending injury. and his agent. Drew Rosenhaus. told ESPN that the procedure “went very well” and that Hill hoped to play in 2026.

So far, Hill remains unsigned as he nears the three-month mark of his unrestricted free agency. He has posted videos on Instagram showing his progress while strengthening his knee during recovery. but none have shown him back on the field—or running on his reconstructed knee. With three full months still left before the NFL season begins. there is time for him to complete his recovery and return on a new contract in 2026.

The question now isn’t whether teams are looking at him—it’s what shape he’ll return in once training camps start treating “hope” like a calendar.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs could fully lean into a reunion in the 2026 offseason if that’s what they want. Tight end Travis Kelce is back for his 14th NFL season after signing another extension. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is also back with head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs after three years with other teams. including one at UCLA. Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are returning in 2026 as well.

Hill could follow Bieniemy’s lead as another former member of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl 54 champion team—joining Reid. Mahomes. and Kelce after years away from Kansas City. The Chiefs still need wide receiver help. Kelce has been Kansas City’s leading pass-catcher by receiving yards in each of the four years since Hill left for Miami. and the aging tight end hasn’t surpassed the 1. 000-yard mark in any of the last three seasons.

Whether Hill returns to his pre-injury level is unclear. What isn’t: he could raise the floor of a receiving room the Chiefs currently have.

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta invested in its receiving corps in the offseason by drafting Georgia’s Zachariah Branch in the third round. but quality veteran wide receiver help is still missing outside of Drake London. Running back Bijan Robinson is a pass-catching threat. and tight end Kyle Pitts is back on the franchise tag after a nice re-breakout in 2025.

Outside of them, Atlanta’s receiving targets are coming from wideouts Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus—catching passes from whichever lefty veteran earns the starting job between Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagoviloa.

Adding Hill to head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense could be the final push Atlanta needs for more success in 2026. Atlanta’s NFC South rivals all appear set for big seasons next year, and it’s unclear if the Falcons have done enough to keep up after a second straight 8-9 season.

Hill would bring strong veteran presence opposite of London, and his familiarity with Tagoviloa could help if the fellow former Dolphin wins the starting job.

Los Angeles Chargers

Hill’s connection to the Chargers is direct. He was one of the first major additions Mike McDaniel made during his stint as the Dolphins’ head coach, and the wideout and offensive guru combined for two of the best seasons of Hill’s career in their first two years in Miami.

Could the same chemistry be worth another shot in Los Angeles now that McDaniel is the Chargers’ offensive coordinator? It’s possible. McDaniel is now set to join forces with the best quarterback he’s ever worked with, Justin Herbert.

But the Chargers still need a receiving boost. Ladd McConkey took a step back in production in 2025 while competing for targets with Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen. Allen returned to the team last year and is now a free agent. Johnston is still inconsistent, and McConkey still needs to prove he can return to his rookie year form.

Hill could be the extra weapon the Chargers need to boost their passing offense—again, in a reunion with McDaniel on the West Coast.

Washington Commanders

Unlike the other three teams, there are no obvious ties between Hill and the Commanders. Washington’s case is simpler: it could really use more help at wide receiver in 2026.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin had the worst season of his career in 2025 after missing a career-high seven games due to injuries. Deebo Samuel—Washington’s top receiver in 2025—is now a free agent. Washington did draft Clemson’s Antonio Williams in the third round. but it still needs a veteran presence in its receivers room.

If Hill returns from injury, he could be that guy for quarterback Jayden Daniels and new offensive coordinator David Blough. Even if Hill isn’t the speedster he was in his younger days before his injury, he would still be an upgrade at the Commanders’ No. 2 receiver spot behind McLaurin.

Washington’s current options for that slot—Williams the rookie, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, Van Jefferson, and Treylon Burks—don’t move the needle much.

The bottom line is that Hill’s next contract won’t be decided in a highlight reel. It will be decided by what he can do on a reconstructed knee once the league’s workouts move from promise to proof. With three full months before the NFL season gets underway. the window is open—but it isn’t going to stay open forever.

Tyreek Hill 2026 Miami Dolphins release knee injury ACL surgery NFL free agency Kansas City Chiefs Atlanta Falcons Los Angeles Chargers Washington Commanders