Tyreek Hill was released by the Dolphins, clearing way for a reunion with Mike McDaniel in Los Angeles

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Tyreek Hill was released by the Dolphins, clearing way for a reunion with Mike McDaniel in Los Angeles

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) running after a catch, Image 2 shows A Miami Dolphins football player in a white uniform celebrating with his mouth open, on a football field with fans in the background, Image 3 shows Mike McDaniel answers questions during his introduction as the new offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers

Vincent Bonsignore · NY Post Sports

Mon, Feb 16, 2026 ·

6 min read

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The Dolphins' release of star wide receiver Tyreek Hill is likely to set up a spirited league-wide race to reel him in.

And don't be surprised if all three California teams emerge as strong contenders for Hill, who, provided he successfully rehabs from the dislocated knee and torn ligaments injury he suffered in Week 4 of 2025, can still bring the speed and electricity even as he approaches 32 years old.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill runs after a catch during the game between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins.Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Rams , 49ers , and Chargers are all in need of an explosive weapon able to take the top off a defense or take it to the house from any part of the field.

Hill, who will be entering his 11th NFL season in 2026, may not pack the same punch he did earlier in his career, but he's still plenty fast enough to help a Rams, 49ers, or Chargers offense that won't require him to be the man necessarily, just someone who can complement what is already in place.

The former Chiefs star has been one of the most prolific players in the NFL during his 10-year career, producing 819 catches for 11,363 yards and 83 touchdowns. Because the Dolphins released him now rather than waiting for the start of the new league year next month, he is immediately eligible to sign with a new team

Hill played in 54 games over four seasons in Miami and caught 340 passes for 4,733 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Dolphins, who are in cost-cutting mode as they prepare to rebuild under new coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, are in the midst of a major roster shakeup to help facilitate their reset.

In addition to Hill, the Dolphins are moving on from edge rusher Bradley Chubb , receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine , and guard James Daniels , and creating approximately $56 million in cap space.

Hill is expected to be a highly coveted target on the open market, even if the start to his 2026 season is delayed by the knee injury he suffered last year. Whatever team signs him is expected to bring him in on an incentivized deal that will take into account the injury.

Tyreek Hill runs onto the field during team introductions prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium on November 19, 2023.Getty Images

The Rams, Chargers, and 49ers would be wise to bring him in as soon as possible in order to oversee his rehab and get him acclimated to their systems.

The goal for all three would be to have him in the fold for as many games as possible, but specifically over the second half of the season and into the playoffs, when game-changing ability is so vital.

Here's a look at how Hill could fit in with all three teams:

Los Angeles Chargers

Let's start with the fact that the Chargers just hired former Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel to be their offensive coordinator. Not only would Hill bring an advanced understanding of McDaniel's offense, but aside from the Chiefs' Andy Reid, there isn't a coach more familiar with Hill's game than McDaniel.

He and Hill were quite the dynamic pair in Miami, with McDaniel scheming the speedster up for some truly memorable moments. Hill's first two years in South Beach in 2022 and 2023 produced back-to-back seasons of 119 catches and 1,700-plus receiving yards.

And remember, that was with Tua Tagovailoa as the Dolphins quarterback. No shade on Tagovailoa, but he'll never be confused with the Chargers' Justin Herbert , who can match Tagovailoa's precision and accuracy but is far superior at pushing the ball down the field.

True, Hill isn't the blazing speedster he once was, but when healthy, he can still burn tread with the fastest players in the league. Team him up with Herbert, and alongside fellow wide receivers Ladd McConkey , Keenan Allen , and young tight end Oronde Gadsden , and Hill would feast.

Also, with the Chargers getting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater back healthy in 2026, Herbert should have more time to operate and let things develop downfield. That means the deep ball would be in play, especially with Hill in the fold.

The Chargers are projected to have $82 million in cap space, so money will not be an issue.

Mike McDaniel answers questions during his introduction as the new offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers. AP

Los Angeles Rams

Sean McVay did an excellent job fitting his scheme and personnel use to the talent on hand last year, incorporating far more three-tight-end sets than he has in the past and forcing opposing defenses to match up to the Rams ' heavier, more powerful lineups.

The Rams took advantage by leading the league in scoring at 30.5 points per game and produced the second-most explosive plays in the NFL with 121.

The power they packed is a credit to McVay's brilliance and Matthew Stafford 's MVP quarterback play, especially considering the Rams lacked a true speedster.

Hill would slide in perfectly alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams , not just as someone who the Rams could send deep to keep defenses honest and take attention off his fellow wide receivers. But as a true weapon that McVay could utilize all over the field.

The Rams are in great shape as far as the salary cap, with a projected $40.1 million to work with under the cap. Fitting Hill in would not be a problem.

Tyreek Hill talks to the media during a Miami Dolphins press conference. Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers

With more than $22 million to work with under the cap, the 49ers are in decent shape to make a run at Hill.

He makes an incredible amount of sense for Kyle Shanahan's offense, as someone the 49ers play calling wiz could scheme up as a decoy, a downfield threat, and someone to get the ball to on screens and crossers.

In other words, much the same way the 49ers utilized Brandon Aiyuk before that situation blew up in their face. Aiyuk is still under contract with the club, but as general manager John Lynch revealed last month, Aiyuk has essentially played his last game with the 49ers.

"It's unfortunate," Lynch said. "A situation that just went awry."

A healthy Hill would more than make up for the loss of Aiyuk.

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