MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Dolphins broad receiver Tyreek Hill says he has shifted his mentality as he enters his fourth season with the crew, after a disappointing 2024 season that made headlines on and off the sphere.
Hill spoke to native media from the crew’s observe facility Wednesday, after a restricted participation within the Dolphins’ OTA observe; he underwent surgical procedure on his proper wrist shortly after the 2024 season ended and is not anticipated to renew catching passes till coaching camp this summer time.
It was Hill’s first time talking with native media since suggesting a commerce request after Miami’s season-ending loss to the New York Jets in January. Throughout that loss to the Jets, Hill additionally made himself unavailable to play within the second half — which coach Mike McDaniel stated he didn’t condone.
After the sport, Hill expressed his frustration over lacking the playoffs for the primary time in his profession and hinted at the opportunity of taking part in elsewhere subsequent season. He in the end walked his feedback again and publicly apologized for them.
“It was robust, man,” Hill stated. “Clearly feelings had been excessive then, however on the finish of the day, I am simply trying to transfer ahead from that, hoping that I can show myself and show to my teammates that I am nonetheless one in every of them ones, man, who’s chasing 2K [receiving yards], nonetheless a kind of one chasing playoff goals and all of that nice stuff.”
“I’ve obtained to show of myself, I’ve obtained to indicate up totally different. The mindset’s obtained to be totally different. I do not really feel like I deserve it and if I did not get it, I would not dwell on it. I would not sweat it, you understand what I am saying? I put myself in that place.”
Tyreek Hill, on desirous to earn captaincy in ’25
Hill has made headlines for a number of off-the-field incidents throughout his time with the Dolphins and that continued in April, when police had been known as to his condominium for a home dispute together with his spouse, who filed for divorce within the following days.
He stated he is attended church and remedy over the previous month, which he says has helped him replicate on his decision-making — particularly why it has been so tough for him to remain out of headlines that are not football-related.
“It is robust. Solely factor I’ll say is man, cash is a loopy factor for lots of people,” Hill stated. “However I imply for me, we simply going to let the small print simply deal with itself, you understand what I am saying? As a result of on the finish of the day, the reality all the time comes out, proper? My job is simply to be an important father to all of my children and be the most effective participant I could be and be the most effective chief I could be for these guys on this locker room, man. So, I’ll stand sturdy on that and I’ll stand agency on that.”
Hill has drawn reward from his coaches and teammates for his degree of involvement this offseason, together with from first-year broad receivers coach Robert Prince, who stated Hill handled the receivers room to dinner in the beginning of the Dolphins’ offseason program.
The five-time All-Professional stated he feels utterly immersed within the tradition the Dolphins wish to set up.
“I am doing extra,” Hill stated. “So simply being extra concerned in that after which simply understanding what coach is attempting to do. I really feel like once I first obtained right here, I would not say that I wasn’t all the way in which purchased in, however me having me having a greater understanding of what [McDaniel is] attempting to push all through the locker room, I really feel like now I perceive him higher. I perceive Tua [Tagovailoa] higher. I perceive [quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Darrell Bevell] Bev, our new receiver coach — me and him clicked instantly when he obtained right here. All people’s on the identical web page, man.”
Hill was named a captain in his first three years with Miami however does not imagine he deserves it once more in 2025 — at the least not but.
It is nonetheless a title he is aiming for, however Hill understands he must earn his captaincy again after his actions on the finish of the 2024 season.
“I’ve obtained to show of myself this OTAs, coaching camp,” he stated. “I’ve obtained to show of myself, I’ve obtained to indicate up totally different. The mindset’s obtained to be totally different. I do not really feel like I deserve it and if I did not get it, I would not dwell on it. I would not sweat it, you understand what I am saying? I put myself in that place.”
Hill recorded 959 receiving yards final season, averaging 56.4 yards per sport – his lowest totals since 2019 and 2016, respectively. He performed the complete season with a wrist harm he suffered in August, which medical doctors advised him required season-ending surgical procedure. Hill deferred the surgical procedure till after the season however stated Wednesday that he is grateful for the process as a result of he was initially nervous about it.
He additionally seemed noticeably slimmer and stated he is right down to 183 kilos after taking part in at 197 kilos when he first arrived in Miami.
“I’d say it is simply one thing that I wished to do,” he stated. “In recent times — clearly I can run with anyone, run by anyone — however I believe having that endurance, having that capability to not get drained on third downs is essential. So, I wished to slim down and truly lose physique fats. I dedicated myself to consuming proper, coaching arduous each day and simply consuming extra water.”