Will the Miami Dolphins’ offense benefit from Tyreek Hill’s chase for 2,000 yards?
In 2023, the Miami Dolphins had one of the top offenses in the entire NFL. They were second only to the Dallas Cowboys and narrowly ahead of the San Francisco 49ers in scoring, repeatedly executing one big play after another. Part of that was due to Miami’s focus on getting the ball to their playmakers, especially star wide receiver Tyreek Hill. In total, Hill was targeted
Hill never hit 2K yards receiving in 2024. He said the dream of breaking Megatron’s record was over. What we transpired was one of his worst seasons as a pro, one in which he finished well under the 2k-yard mark. Hell, he didn’t even eclipse 1,000 yards in 2024, finishing with 81 receptions for 959 yards and six touchdowns.
A large part of that was due to a wrist injury he suffered back in Week 1. Another reason was because of Tua Tagovailoa’s unfortunate injuries. Whatever the case, it led to Hill’s outburst in Week 18, suggesting he played his last days in Miami.
Narrator: He did not.
Hill is back with the team in 2025 and appears to be refocused.
“It doesn’t matter how much you’ve earned or how much success you’ve had in this league, it’s always the next day mentality. That’s something my grandparents raised me by, and that’s something that Mike (McDaniel) preaches here in this locker room. Every day I’m trying to prove myself as one of those guys that this team can depend on in crucial moments. I’m going to stand on that too, though, because that’s just me as a person, as a player, as an individual; I try to carry myself in that way.”
With a disappointing season in the rear-view mirror, Hill is once again talking 2,000 yards. “I need 2k this year, dawg. I don’t care,” Hill said during a livestream. “That was the mindset when I first got to Miami. We got off that, though. Bout to put some work in every day. While still going to OTA’s, though.”
Miami’s WR1 is saying all the right things. However, I’m still not sure I can buy into Miami force-feeding No. 10 for an entire season.
3rd and 7, tua hits tyreek for a 60 yard TD pic.twitter.com/I7iob1Eck3
— josh houtz (@houtz) December 3, 2023
After all, it seemed clear last year that there were plenty of mouths to feed in Mike McDaniel’s offense. Tight End Jonnu Smith had a career year, catching a career-high 88 receptions on 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. Running Back De’Von Achane is also looking to build on his impressive 2024 season. And then there’s Jaylen Waddle, who, for the lack of a better word, had an off year, catching only 54 balls for 744 yards and two touchdowns.
All of these players want to eat — and that’s not even including guys like Nick Westbrook Ikhene, Malik Washington, and the rest of Miami’s receiving room. Not to mention, if Hill’s not catching passes yet at OTAs, it may be time to pump the brakes on 2k yards, at least until he’s out there catching passes from his teammates.
And yet, that’s not going to stop Hill from trying to prove to everyone he’s still one of the league’s top wide receivers and, maybe even more important, that he’s one of the leaders on this team. When asked if he thinks he should be a captain in 2025, Hill was honest.
“I’ve got to prove myself. This OTAs, training camp, I’ve got to prove myself. I’ve got to show up different; the mindset has got to be different. I don’t feel like I deserve it, and if I didn’t get it, I wouldn’t dwell on it. I wouldn’t sweat it because I put myself in that position.”
Several factors could go wrong for Miami this upcoming season. However, trying to force the ball to Hill in critical situations — as the Dolphins admitted to doing in 2023 — could be their biggest downfall.
What are your thoughts on Tyreek Hill’s chase for 2,000 yards? Do you think it’s doable after a season where he didn’t eclipse the 1,000-yard mark? How do you feel about him racing Noah Lyles? Do you think he will be on the roster in 2026? Let us know in the comments section below
