Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on Sunday hit back at Tyreek Hill’s claim that he was “dealing with a little problem” during the fourth quarter against the Jets – suggesting the receiver essentially quit with the team in the regular-season finale.
Hill, who has struggled with a wrist problem all season, did not play in the fourth quarter of Miami’s loss to New York. The Dolphins needed a win and a Broncos loss to the Chiefs to sneak into the postseason, but Denver blew out Kansas City’s backups 38-0.
And while Hill told reporters he was pulled from the game by McDaniel, the coach described events differently.
“I was told right before a drive that he was unavailable,” McDaniel said after the 32-20 loss.
‘I wasn’t told it was a new injury. And you know, I think my focus at that point was on the players and I didn’t take the time to find out more about that. There were guys on the field competing, we were trying to win a game, so my focus was there.”
Hill also indicated that he made a business decision for himself because he saw the Broncos in control of the Chiefs.
Mike McDaniel suggested Tyreek Hill would retire from the Dolphins during their loss to the Jets
The speedster Hill recorded a career-high 1,799 receiving yards under McDaniel last season
Hill changed his X-profile photo Monday to a mock-up of his head on Antonio Brown’s body
“It’s just one of those problems, man, where you know, you look at the scoreboard and the Chiefs are down [to the Broncos] and it’s like, okay.’
In the same bombastic postgame availabilityHill declared he was “out” of Miami and spoke in the past tense about his time with the Dolphins.
“I just have to do what’s best for me and my family,” Hill said. “If that’s here, or anywhere, I’ll open that door for myself. I open the door. I’m gone, brother.
“It’s been great playing here, but at the end of the day, mate, I’ve got to do what’s best for my career. I’m too much of a competitor to just step outside of that.’
Soon after, Hill took to social media and did little to dampen the flames as he wrote, “Love fin nation bless you all opened doors for the Hill family forever nothing but respect and love.”
On Monday, Hill also changed his profile photo on ). last game ever) in the middle of a game against the Jets in 2022.
McDaniel, meanwhile, didn’t seem too bothered by Hill’s post-game comments.
“I’m not going to put too much weight on secondhand statements of disappointment after the game,” McDaniel said. “We’ll see how the next few days go in conversations with him and me.”
Hill finished the season with 939 receiving yards and failed to hit 1,000 for the first time since 2019 as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed six games with injury.
Hill, 30, is under contract with the Dolphins through 2026 after signing a three-year, restructured deal worth $90 million ahead of the 2024 season.