Miami’s QB1 wasn’t shy when asked about his relationship with star WR Tyreek Hill, following his week 18 “I’m out” comments.
All offseason long, we’ve been reminded about Tyreek Hill’s week 18 outburst after the Miami Dolphins‘ 32-20 loss to the New York Jets.
It was a big deal ‘then, now, and forever.’
After all, Miami’s WR1 refused to go back in the game after realizing the 2024 season would end in disappointing fashion at the hands of Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. It was everything we feared when Miami traded for Hill, and, as you can expect, led to an array of questions surrounding the 2025 Dolphins and the ‘culture’ that head coach Mike McDaniel had instilled in the locker room.
For those who forget, here’s what Hill said following Miami’s week 18 matchup :::
“I have to do what’s best for me and my family. If that’s here, or if that’s wherever the case may be. I’m fixing to open that door for myself. I’m opening the door. I’m out. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I have to do what’s best for my career. I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there.”
Immediately, fans and experts began to ponder how a Hill trade would work. Once it became abundantly clear it wasn’t happening (his cap hit would be massive), it was time to start rebuilding the trust.
Mike McDaniel discussed his feelings towards the Hill situation back in late March and admitted Hill was doing everything he could to make things right and hold himself accountable for his actions.
“The phrase I use with the players all the time is that I see better than I hear… I know what has been put on display during the regular season when we’ve had a fully attacking Tyreek Hill…I fully expect to get a better version of that horse, that is the reason he was voted captain…. There’s been a lot of work that we don’t go and publicize, but hours of human connectivity gives me the confidence that we’re in a good space.”
McDaniel continued:
“I feel confident because he’s saying and doing the right things, and from an organizational standpoint, we’ve said that it’s unacceptable. I say those words because, ‘OK, well, we’re not going to accept that.’ He knows that, he’s comfortable with that. There’s a good opportunity for Tyreek Hill to do what’s best served for him and his career, and what’s best served for the Dolphins is him excelling. I have confidence that he’s putting himself in that position, and the second that he gives me information that I should think otherwise, then I’ll adjust.”
McDaniel’s comments were pretty straightforward, but what did Miami’s starting quarterback think about Hill’s comments, and how did it impact their relationship?
Tua Tagovailoa speaks on Tyreek Hill’s “I’m Out” comments after Wednesday’s practice.
Tua has been working hard behind the scenes this offseason to make sure his actions don’t lead to any more season-derailing injuries. He’s also been working hard to rebuild his relationship with wide receiver Tyreek Hill following his “I’m out” comments. Still, according to Tagovailoa, it’s not just the starting QB who needs to see a changed cheetah this upcoming season. Part of that change starts with Hill being more vulnerable, according to QB1.
“I think there’s a lot more vulnerability with Tyreek… He’s conversing a lot more with the guys, not just about football, but things off the field… being vulnerable about his personal life… and I think that’s the first step of him building true relationships…everyone knows what he can do on the field, respects what he can do on the field. He’s still trying to figure things out for himself… some people, they’re in the spotlight and their deals get pushed out more than some others. You just have to cut him some grace, he’s our teammate, we love him.”
When asked about the two rebuilding their relationship/trust this offseason, Tagovailoa replied :::
“We’re still continuing to do that. But it’s not just with me, it’s with a lot of the guys. I’m not the only one that heard that. You guys aren’t the only ones who heard that… a lot of people that follow football… follow the Dolphins… has seen that. When you say something like that …you don’t just come back with a “hey, my bad,” you have to work that relationship up, build everything up again.”
“It’s still a work in progress, but not just for me, but for everyone. But like i said. He’s working on himself, the things he wants to get better with… that’s’ the first step to me. I commend him for that.”
2025 is an ever-important season for Mike McDaniel, Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and the rest of the Miami Dolphins offense. It’s now or never for the team to take the next step, or we could be heading down the path that many of us have become all too accustomed to over the last several decades.
It won’t be easy.
However, if Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa can get back on the same page and rebuild the relationship and trust they once had, we could be in for an encore presentation of the 2023 season. One of which saw Hill, Tagovailoa, and Miami’s offense near the top of the league in all statistical categories.
What are your expectations for the Miami Dolphins in 2025? Do you think Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill can mend their relationship and look more like the unstoppable duo of 2023? Or was that the peak of this tandem, never to be seen again?! Let us know in the comments section below!
