Veteran wide receiver Tyreek Hill is still a free agent while he recovers from a serious knee injury, but he should be back this season.
The New York Giants still have a realistic path to make quarterback Jaxson Dart explode in 2026, and it comes in the form of a veteran wide receiver who remains unsigned. NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus revealed on the "Pat McAfee Show" late last week that his client, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, is not expected to sign with any team before the regular season, but he should be back at some point relatively soon.
That development could matter for the Giants and their second-year quarterback down the stretch. Rosenhaus, who represents Hill, offered an update on the receiver's condition and timeline.
"I don't expect Tyreek Hill to sign before the season," Rosenhaus said. " He sent me videos
of him running hills [on Thursday], and he looked great. I do think when he does sign, he will be the kind of guy that will impact the playoff race and will certainly be successful."
That's the type of thing an agent would say about his player, but Hill is a special athlete. While he's older now at 32 and recovering from a serious knee injury
, he can still be a high-level player in the NFL. For the Giants, adding a receiver of that caliber at some point over the next few months could change the trajectory of Dart's season.
The Giants have some pieces in place around their young quarterback. New York is expecting wide receiver Malik Nabers back for Week 1 or early in the season. Rookie third-round pick Malachi Fields has been impressive
throughout the preseason, and tight end Isaiah Likely is showing a strong connection with Dart throughout training camp.
But having a deep threat like Hill, who has been one of the NFL's most explosive receivers throughout his career, would allow Dart to play more aggressively and take that second-year leap the Giants need from him. A vertical presence of that caliber stretches defenses opening up the passing game for underneath throws targeting other weapons.
It's unclear whether New York will actually pursue Hill, but one notable detail is that the Giants have already demonstrated a willingness to add veteran receivers this offseason. They signed Odell Beckham Jr.
and also brought in JuJu Smith-Schuster, who has since been released.
The combination of coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen has shown a clear pattern of targeting experienced players at the wide receiver position this offseason. If Hill becomes available as a midseason option, that approach could pay dividends for Dart's development.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Giants still have a secret card up their sleeve that could unlock Jaxson Dart's full potential in 2026
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