Tyreek Hill Salary
Updated August 13, 2026: Tyreek Hill remains an unrestricted free agent following his February release from the Miami Dolphins.
The Miami Dolphins released Tyreek Hill on February 16, 2026. The timing wasn’t random—it came weeks before $16 million in contract guarantees would have triggered. For a player who once reset the wide receiver market, the move was cold, calculated, and entirely about the cap sheet.
Hill was scheduled to earn $29.9 million in base salary in 2026. None of it was guaranteed. That’s the kind of number that makes NFL front offices nervous when a 32-year-old receiver is recovering from a torn ACL.
Here’s what actually happened, what Hill was scheduled to earn, and where his career goes from here.
What Was Tyreek Hill’s 2026 Salary?
Tyreek Hill’s 2026 base salary was $29.9 million. He did not receive that salary because the Dolphins released him before the relevant guarantees took effect.
His full scheduled 2026 compensation package included:
| Component | Scheduled Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $29,900,000 |
| Roster Bonus | $5,000,000 |
| Workout Bonus | $100,000 |
| Per-Game Roster Bonuses | Up to $1,000,000 |
| Maximum Scheduled Compensation | $36,000,000 |
| Salary Cap Hit | $51,134,044 |
| Dead Cap (post-release) | $28,248,750 |
Per-game roster bonuses are conditional and earned based on active status. The primary confirmed figure is the $29.9M base salary and $51.1M cap hit.
The Dolphins released him before the third day of the 2026 league year, when $11 million of his base salary would have become guaranteed. Another $5 million roster bonus was due on the same day. By cutting him early, Miami avoided $16 million in obligations.
SalaryInfo Insight: The $51.1 million cap hit wasn’t the problem by itself. The problem was the production drop-off. Hill caught just 21 passes for 265 yards in 2025 before his injury. NFL teams don’t pay $51 million for four games of production, no matter how many Pro Bowls a player has.
The Contract That Made Him the Highest-Paid Receiver
Hill’s path to that $29.9 million 2026 salary started in 2022, when the Dolphins traded for him and immediately gave him a four-year, $120 million extension. At the time, it made him the highest-paid player at his position.
The deal included $72.2 million guaranteed and a $30 million average annual value that set the market for wide receivers.
Then came 2024. Hill and the Dolphins restructured—turning the deal into a three-year, $90 million contract that kept the $30 million AAV. The 2024 restructure increased the total guarantees reported for the deal while maintaining the $30 million average annual value.
The restructure did something else: it made the 2026 season mostly cosmetic. The final year had big numbers but minimal guarantees.
| Contract | Years | Total Value | AAV | Guaranteed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Extension | 4 | $120M | $30M | $72.2M |
| 2024 Restructure | 3 | $90M | $30M | $106.5M fully guaranteed across deal |
| 2026 Season (unearned) | 1 | $36M max | — | $0 |
Why the Dolphins Released Him
The Dolphins saved $22.8 million in 2026 cap space by releasing Tyreek Hill, while absorbing a $28.2 million dead cap hit.
It sounds counterintuitive—taking a $28 million charge to save $23 million. But the math works when a player’s cap number exceeds $51 million.
Miami entered the 2026 offseason $17.4 million over the salary cap. Hill’s $51.1 million cap hit was the largest single obstacle to getting compliant. The Dolphins had already missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons. They hired a new head coach in Jeff Hafley and a new general manager in Jon-Eric Sullivan. A rebuild was coming.
Hill’s injury made the decision easier. He dislocated his left knee and tore his ACL in Week 4 against the New York Jets. He missed the final 13 games of the 2025 season. He turned 32 on March 1, 2026. A receiver at that age, coming off a torn ACL, with a $51 million cap hit—the business decision writes itself.
SalaryInfo Career Strategy: The release tells you something about how NFL front offices think. It’s not about loyalty. It’s about cap efficiency and roster construction. Hill’s first two seasons in Miami were elite—1,710 yards in 2022, 1,799 in 2023. His last two? A combined 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns. The drop-off, combined with the injury, made the contract unsustainable.
Career Earnings: $143 Million
Tyreek Hill has earned approximately $143 million in NFL salary over his career, according to publicly available contract and earnings data.
That figure includes his rookie contract with the Chiefs ($2.6 million over four years), his first extension ($54 million over three years), and the Dolphins deals.
| Period | Team | Contract Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2016–2019 | Chiefs | $2.6M (rookie) |
| 2019–2022 | Chiefs | $54M extension |
| 2022–2026 | Dolphins | $120M extension |
| 2024–2026 | Dolphins | $90M restructure |
But here’s where it gets interesting: his net worth is estimated at roughly $60 million.
Why the gap? Because gross earnings aren’t net worth. Taxes take a massive cut. Agent fees take another. Then there’s the $7.7 million Florida home he listed for sale after the release, other real estate, lifestyle costs, and support obligations.
SalaryInfo Observation: The $143 million figure sounds like generational wealth. And it is. But the gap between gross career earnings and net worth tells a story about how quickly money moves through professional sports. Hill’s net worth is still substantial—but it’s a reminder that contract headlines and actual wealth are different things.
Tyreek Hill’s Net Worth in 2026
Tyreek Hill’s net worth is estimated at approximately $60 million as of 2026.
His endorsement portfolio includes partnerships with major sports brands and performance drink companies, providing additional income beyond his NFL salary.
But the net worth story is also about what he’s missed. Instead of receiving his previously scheduled $36 million maximum compensation from Miami, Hill has not earned that Dolphins compensation following his release and remains a free agent as of August 13, 2026.
The Injury That Changed Everything
Hill suffered a torn ACL and dislocated left knee in a Week 4 game against the New York Jets on September 29, 2025.
The injury was gruesome. He tore multiple ligaments in his knee, not just the ACL. He underwent two surgeries. Ten months later, in July 2026, Hill said he still has “no power” in his left leg.
He played in just four games in 2025. His final stat line with the Dolphins: 21 catches for 265 yards and one touchdown.
The recovery timeline remains uncertain. He began walking without a knee brace in February 2026. But “walking” and “playing NFL football” are different universes. For a player whose entire game is built on speed—he earned the nickname “Cheetah” for a reason—a knee injury of this magnitude is career-altering.
SalaryInfo Professional Warning: Hill’s speed was his superpower. Without it, he’s a different receiver. The question isn’t whether he can return to the NFL. The question is whether he can return to the version of himself that commanded $30 million per year. The early signs—no power in the leg 10 months after surgery—are not encouraging.
What’s Next: Free Agency and Landing Spots
Tyreek Hill became an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career on February 16, 2026.
The market for a 32-year-old receiver recovering from a torn ACL is different from the market for a 28-year-old in his prime.
Current market projections place Hill’s next contract at an average annual value of approximately $14.4 million. That’s less than half of his previous $30 million AAV. For context, Cooper Kupp—another veteran receiver—signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Seahawks in 2025 at age 32.
Several teams have been linked to Hill:
- Los Angeles Rams: One of several teams discussed as a potential destination for Hill.
- Kansas City Chiefs: A return to his original team has been discussed.
- Green Bay Packers: Another potential destination.
- Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders: All named as potential suitors.
A one-year prove-it contract could make sense for Hill, given his age, injury history and uncertain 2026 availability.
How Tyreek Hill’s Salary Compares to Other NFL Wide Receivers
The wide receiver market has exploded since Hill signed his $120 million deal in 2022.
In March 2026, Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a four-year, $168.6 million extension with the Seahawks—$42.15 million per year. That leapfrogged Ja’Marr Chase’s $40.25 million AAV.
| Receiver | Contract | AAV | Year Signed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | $168.6M | $42.15M | 2026 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | $161M | $40.25M | 2025 |
| Justin Jefferson | — | $35M | — |
| CeeDee Lamb | — | $34M | — |
| Tyreek Hill (2022) | $120M | $30M | 2022 |
Hill’s $30 million AAV was market-setting in 2022. By 2026, it’s fifth or sixth among top receivers. The market moves fast. What looks like a massive deal today looks reasonable in three years—and expensive in four.
SalaryInfo Market View: The wide receiver market has experienced what economists call “ratchet effect”—each new deal resets the ceiling higher. Smith-Njigba’s $42 million AAV won’t last. The next star receiver will push it higher. Hill’s 2022 deal, which once seemed outrageous, now looks like a bargain relative to the current market. But that doesn’t help him in 2026, when he’s a free agent recovering from injury.
What the Dolphins’ Release Means for Hill’s Legacy
Hill’s Dolphins tenure ended with 340 catches, 4,733 yards, and 28 touchdowns over 54 games.
His 2023 season was historic—1,799 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, leading the NFL in both categories. He became the first player in league history to record at least 1,700 receiving yards in consecutive seasons.
For his career, Hill has 96 total touchdowns—30th in NFL history and fifth among active players. His 78.4 receiving yards per game rank eighth all-time.
But the release adds a complicated chapter. Hill goes from being the centerpiece of Miami’s offense to a free agent whose best days may be behind him.
The Salary Ceiling: Why Even Superstars Get Cut
Hill’s situation illustrates a fundamental truth about NFL compensation: contracts are not guarantees. They’re promises that can be broken.
The league’s salary cap creates hard choices. Teams can’t keep everyone. When a player’s production declines and his cap hit rises, the math stops working.
Hill’s case is extreme but not unique. The Dolphins were $17.4 million over the cap. They had a new front office. They had a new coach. They had a quarterback situation in flux—Tua Tagovailoa was benched late in 2025 for rookie Quinn Ewers. Rebuilding made sense.
Hill was the casualty. Not because he wasn’t talented. Because the numbers didn’t add up.
SalaryInfo Editorial Verdict: The Tyreek Hill release is a masterclass in how NFL front offices think. It’s not personal. It’s not even about the player’s talent. It’s about cap efficiency, roster construction, and risk management. Hill at $30 million per year was a good deal in 2022. Hill at $30 million per year, coming off a torn ACL at age 32, is a bad deal. The Dolphins made the right business decision. That doesn’t make it any less brutal.
Future Outlook: Can Tyreek Hill Return to Form?
Hill’s NFL future depends entirely on his knee recovery.
He’s been transparent about the challenges. Ten months after surgery, he still has no power in his left leg. That’s not a small thing for a player whose game relies on explosive acceleration.
The best-case scenario: Hill signs a one-year deal with a contender, works his way back to full health, and proves he can still contribute at a high level. The worst-case scenario: the knee never fully recovers, and his career ends quietly as a free agent.
The odds are somewhere in between. Hill has shown remarkable resilience throughout his career—from a fifth-round pick out of West Alabama to an eight-time Pro Bowler. But resilience doesn’t repair ligaments. Time and biology do that.
Quick Answers About Tyreek Hill’s Salary
How much was Tyreek Hill’s 2026 salary?
Hill’s 2026 base salary was $29.9 million. He did not receive this amount because the Dolphins released him in February 2026 before the guarantees kicked in.
Why did the Dolphins release Tyreek Hill?
The Dolphins released Hill to save $22.8 million in salary cap space. His 2026 cap hit was $51.1 million, and he was coming off a torn ACL that limited him to four games in 2025.
What is Tyreek Hill’s net worth?
Tyreek Hill’s net worth is estimated at approximately $60 million as of 2026. He has earned about $143 million in NFL salary over his career.
Who is the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba became the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history in March 2026, signing a four-year, $168.6 million extension with the Seattle Seahawks at $42.15 million per year.
What team will Tyreek Hill play for in 2026?
As of August 13, 2026, Hill remains a free agent. The Los Angeles Rams have been mentioned among potential destinations, along with the Chiefs, Packers, Falcons, Ravens, and Commanders.
FAQs: Tyreek Hill Salary
How much was Tyreek Hill’s 2026 salary?
Hill’s 2026 base salary was $29.9 million, with a scheduled $5 million roster bonus, $100,000 workout bonus, and up to $1 million in per-game roster bonuses—$36 million maximum scheduled. He did not receive this compensation because the Dolphins released him before the relevant guarantees took effect.
What was Tyreek Hill’s cap hit in 2026?
Hill carried a $51,134,044 salary cap hit for the 2026 season. That was the primary reason the Dolphins released him.
How much money did the Dolphins save by releasing Tyreek Hill?
Miami saved $22.8 million in 2026 cap space by releasing Hill, while absorbing a $28.2 million dead cap hit.
What is Tyreek Hill’s career earnings?
Hill has earned approximately $143 million in NFL salary from 2016 through 2026. That includes his rookie contract with the Chiefs and his extensions with both Kansas City and Miami.
Is Tyreek Hill getting paid in 2026?
Tyreek Hill is not currently receiving a Dolphins salary because Miami released him in February 2026. His previously scheduled 2026 base salary was $29.9 million, but that compensation was not paid after his release. As of August 13, 2026, he remains a free agent.
How much was Tyreek Hill’s contract worth with the Dolphins?
Tyreek Hill originally signed a four-year, $120 million extension with Miami in 2022. The contract was later restructured into a three-year, $90 million deal in 2024 while maintaining a $30 million average annual value.
What was Tyreek Hill’s highest salary with the Dolphins?
Hill’s scheduled 2026 base salary was $29.9 million, although he did not receive that salary after Miami released him before the relevant guarantees took effect. His contract also included a $30 million average annual value, which was the highest for a wide receiver when he signed in 2022.
Will Tyreek Hill retire?
Hill has not announced retirement. He has stated his focus is on returning to play and providing for his family. However, his knee recovery will determine whether he can continue his NFL career.