Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill “Content” With Contract Situation
Tyreek Hill has been considered one of the top wide receivers in the game for several years now, making his case for the top spot even stronger by leading the league in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last year despite missing a game. While he’s no longer paid like the top wide receiver in the NFL, Hill made it clear in a recent appearance on ESPN, posted to X by Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald, that he’s more focused on team accomplishments than a new deal. 
When he arrived in Miami after six years in Kansas City, Hill became paid like the top receiver in the league. Since then, players like Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, and Amon-Ra St. Brown have reset the market at the wide receiver position. Believing that he remains a better wide receiver that anyone else in the league, Hill took aim at a new contract to accurately reflect his dominance.
The situation was a bit strange as Hill still has three years remaining on his current contract before he is set to hit free agency. This puts the Dolphins in a tough situation wherein they either set a dangerous precedent by entertaining contract negotiations with a player over whom they have three years of team control or allow Hill to continue being paid less than receivers he outperforms.
While an uncomfortable situation, the prospect of a new deal provides an opportunity for Miami, as well. They are currently set to enter the 2024 season with Hill representing the ninth-highest cap hit for an offensive player in the NFL. While a new contract will likely result in more money committed to Hill than before, it should offer the team an opportunity to shuffle around some numbers to lessen his cap impact in the coming seasons, during which they will need to address the contracts of such players as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
In his recent appearance on ESPN, Hill pumped the brakes on any pressure being put on his ball club, letting his hosts know that an extension is sure to come in due time. “I’m just very, like, glad, the position that I’m in now, man,” Hill said. “The reason I say that is: I know when it’s time for me to get a deal, the Miami Dolphins will do what’s right.
“I’m very content with where I’m at right now,” he continued. “My mindset and my focus right now is making sure that I’m able to help this team win it all, win the Super Bowl, and I’m real content with that. I’m going into year nine now. Money is the least of our worries right now. Like the biggest thing right now is to be able to grab onto something that we can hold onto the rest of our lives as a brotherhood, as a fan base, as an organization. If we’re able to do that, I’ll be happy.
“The contract, it’ll come. Whenever it comes, I’ll be happy,” Hill concluded. Hill made it clear that he wants Tagovailoa to get paid, as well, before expressing his confidence that a future deal for him would eventually come. As much as conversation has been focused on his desire for more money, Hill set the record straight today that his focus is on his team.
Largest 2024 Cap Hits: Offense
The NFL’s salary cap ceiling was expected to see a large increase this offseason, but estimates proved to be on the low side. A record-setting jump resulted in a cap of $255.4MM for teams to work with.
That has resulted in new waves of spending at a few positions, with quarterbacks and receivers seeing continued growth at the top of the market. Last offseason offered a strong chance of the league seeing at least one $40MM-plus cap charge, but the Browns avoided such a scenario with a Deshaun Watson restructure. Owing to that move – and the lack of further adjustments this spring – however, Watson’s financial impact is set to grow considerably this season.
Here are the league’s top cap charges on offense leading up to training camp:
- Deshaun Watson, QB (Browns): $63.77MM
- Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $55.13MM
- Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): $49.5MM
- Kyler Murray, QB (Cardinals): $49.12MM
- Daniel Jones, QB (Giants): $47.86MM
- Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): 37.01MM
- Lamar Jackson, QB (Ravens): $32.4MM
- Trent Williams, LT (49ers): $31.57MM
- Tyreek Hill, WR (Dolphins): $31.32MM
- Josh Allen, QB (Bills): $30.36MM
- Cooper Kupp, WR (Rams): $29.78MM
- Taylor Moton, RT (Panthers): $29.75MM
- Joe Burrow, QB (Bengals): $29.55MM
- Deebo Samuel, WR (49ers): $28.63MM
- Chris Godwin, WR (Buccaneers): $27.53MM
- Jared Goff, QB (Lions): $27.21MM
- Joe Thuney, LG (Chiefs): $26.97MM
- Geno Smith, QB (Seahawks): $26.4MM
- Laremy Tunsil, LT (Texans): $25.86MM
- Davante Adams, WR (Raiders): $25.35MM
- Quenton Nelson, LG (Colts): $25.2MM
- Kirk Cousins, QB (Falcons): $25MM
- Jawaan Taylor, RT (Chiefs): $24.73MM
- D.K. Metcalf, WR (Seahawks): $24.5MM
- Christian Kirk, WR (Jaguars): $24.24MM
Watson’s figure will shatter the NFL record for the largest single-season cap charge if no adjustments are made in the coming weeks. The hits for Prescott, Murray, Stafford and Jones also would have set a new benchmark if not for the Browns passer, a sign of the QB market’s continued upward trajectory. Cleveland is set to remain in a similar situation for the next three years as Watson plays out his fully guaranteed $230MM deal. 
Prescott’s future is one of several important questions the Cowboys need to answer relatively soon. With CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons due for second contracts, an extension for the three-time Pro Bowler will need to take into account future commitments. While Prescott has considerable leverage (via no-tag and no-trade clauses), he joins Jones in facing an uncertain post-2024 future in the NFC East.
The latter saw the Giants make an effort to trade up for a quarterback in April and he reacted in an understandable manner. Jones’ $40MM-per-year 2023 extension remains the dominant storyline surrounding the team, and a decision on retaining him or moving on will need to be made prior to a potential out early next offseason. Murray’s performance this fall will likewise be worth watching; he has received consistent praise from head coach Jonathan Gannon, but he will aim to put together a fully healthy season following 2023’s truncated campaign.
Stafford and the Rams have a mutual desire to continue their relationship, but he is seeking guarantees beyond the 2024 campaign. The 36-year-old’s representatives have been in discussion on a resolution during the offseason, although even in the absence of one a training camp holdout is not expected. The likes of Mahomes, Jackson and Allen retain a place in the top 25, and the same will no doubt be true of Burrow for years to come.
Of the receivers listed, only Hill is known to be actively pursuing a new deal. The 30-year-old once led the receiver market with a $30MM AAV, a figure inflated by non-guaranteed money at the end of the pact. With the bar having been raised to new heights this offseason, Hill could join teammate Jaylen Waddle in securing a new payday. Since the team has a Tua Tagovailoa extension on the horizon, however, Miami could hesitate on the Hill front.
It come as little surprise that Williams tops the list for offensive linemen. The 11-time Pro Bowler has been mentioned in retirement rumors before, but playing to age 40 is now a goal. Meeting it could require future contract adjustments. Samuel’s future in the Bay Area was a talking point this offseason as the team attempts to keep Brandon Aiyuk in the fold. One of the high-profile wideouts may be playing for a new team for the first time in their career in 2025.
Elsewhere along the O-line, Moton and Taylor demonstrate the value seen at the right tackle spot in recent years. Given the developments of the guard market this offseason, though, the likes of Thuney and Nelson will have competition for spots on the list in future years. Similarly, the non-Hill wideouts could easily be surpassed in the future with a further additions set to be made (particularly by Lamb, Aiyuk and Ja’Marr Chase) at the top of the ever-increasing market.
Goff joined the $50MM-per-year club on his third NFL deal, whereas Cousins continued to add to his impressive NFL earnings by joining the Falcons. If healthy, the latter could prove to be an effective pickup for a team aiming to return to the postseason (while quieting questions about a transition to Michael Penix Jr. under center). Smith also has plenty riding on this season with a new Seahawks coaching staff in place which incrementally arrived at the decision he will serve as the starter in 2024.
The NFL’s Longest-Tenured GMs
The NFL’s general manager ranks featured some key shakeups this offseason. One of the longest-tenured pure GMs in the game, Tom Telesco, lost his Chargers seat 11 years in. The Raiders, however, gave Telesco a second chance. He now controls the Las Vegas roster. Only Telesco and the Jaguars’ Trent Baalke reside as second-chance GMs currently.
Two long-serving personnel bosses also exited this offseason. The Patriots’ decision to move on from 24-year HC Bill Belichick gave Jerod Mayo a head coaching opportunity but also resulted in Eliot Wolf belatedly rising to the top of the team’s front office hierarchy. A former Packers and Browns exec, Wolf held decision-making power through the draft and kept it on an official basis soon after. While John Schneider arrived in Seattle with Pete Carroll in 2010, the latter held final say. Following Carroll’s ouster after 14 seasons, Schneider has full control.
[RELATED: The NFL’s Longest-Tenured Head Coaches]
The Commanders changed GMs this offseason, hiring ex-San Francisco staffer Adam Peters, but Martin Mayhew received merely a demotion. The three-year Washington GM, who worked alongside Peters with the 49ers, is now in place as a senior personnel exec advising Peters. Rather than look outside the organization, Panthers owner David Tepper replaced Scott Fitterer with Dan Morgan, who had previously worked as the team’s assistant GM.
Going into his 23rd season running the Saints, Mickey Loomis remains the NFL’s longest-serving pure GM. This will mark the veteran exec’s third season without Sean Payton. An eight-year gap now exists between Loomis and the NFL’s second-longest-tenured pure GM.
As the offseason winds down, here is how the league’s 32 GM jobs look:
- Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys): April 18, 1989[1]
- Mike Brown (Cincinnati Bengals): August 5, 1991[2]
- Mickey Loomis (New Orleans Saints): May 14, 2002
- John Schneider (Seattle Seahawks): January 19, 2010; signed extension in 2021
- Howie Roseman (Philadelphia Eagles): January 29, 2010[3]; signed extension in 2022
- Les Snead (Los Angeles Rams): February 10, 2012; signed extension in 2022
- Jason Licht (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): January 21, 2014; signed extension in 2021
- Chris Grier (Miami Dolphins): January 4, 2016[4]
- John Lynch (San Francisco 49ers): January 29, 2017; signed extension in 2023
- Chris Ballard (Indianapolis Colts): January 30, 2017; signed extension in 2021
- Brandon Beane (Buffalo Bills): May 9, 2017; signed extension in 2023
- Brett Veach (Kansas City Chiefs): July 11, 2017; signed extension in 2024
- Brian Gutekunst (Green Bay Packers): January 7, 2018; agreed to extension in 2022
- Eric DeCosta (Baltimore Ravens): January 7, 2019
- Joe Douglas (New York Jets): June 7, 2019
- Andrew Berry (Cleveland Browns): January 27, 2020: signed extension in 2024
- Nick Caserio (Houston Texans): January 5, 2021
- George Paton (Denver Broncos): January 13, 2021
- Brad Holmes (Detroit Lions): January 14, 2021: agreed to extension in 2024
- Terry Fontenot (Atlanta Falcons): January 19, 2021
- Trent Baalke (Jacksonville Jaguars): January 21, 2021
- Joe Schoen (New York Giants): January 21, 2022
- Ryan Poles (Chicago Bears): January 25, 2022
- Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (Minnesota Vikings): January 26, 2022
- Omar Khan (Pittsburgh Steelers): May 24, 2022
- Monti Ossenfort (Arizona Cardinals): January 16, 2023
- Ran Carthon (Tennessee Titans): January 17, 2023
- Adam Peters (Washington Commanders): January 12, 2024
- Dan Morgan (Carolina Panthers): January 22, 2024
- Tom Telesco (Las Vegas Raiders): January 23, 2024
- Joe Hortiz (Los Angeles Chargers): January 29, 2024
- Eliot Wolf (New England Patriots): May 11, 2024
Footnotes:
- Jones has been the Cowboys’ de facto general manager since former GM Tex Schramm resigned in April 1989.
- Brown has been the Bengals’ de facto GM since taking over as the team’s owner in August 1991.
- The Eagles bumped Roseman from the top decision-making post in 2015, giving Chip Kelly personnel power. Roseman was reinstated upon Kelly’s December 2015 firing.
- Although Grier was hired in 2016, he became the Dolphins’ top football exec on Dec. 31, 2018
Latest On Dolphins’ Roster Battles
When the Dolphins kick off training camp later this month, there will be a handful of intriguing offensive roster battles to keep an eye on. In his recent Dolphins roster projection, Adam H. Beasley of ProFootballNetwork.com noted that there could be some intriguing cuts at both running back and wide receiver.
At RB, Beasley backs what we heard back in May; veteran RB Salvon Ahmed is on the roster bubble. In fact, Beasley writes that Ahmed probably wouldn’t have re-signed with the team had he known the Dolphins would add fourth-round RB Jaylen Wright. The rookie will surely stick to the roster, as will Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane.
That means the final RB spot will likely be between Ahmed, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Chris Brooks, and Beasley opines that Ahmed is currently trailing that entire grouping. Of course, a fresh start elsewhere could be in the player’s best interest. After collecting 646 yards from scrimmage through his first two years in the league, Ahmed has been limited to only 221 yards over the past two seasons.
Elsewhere on offense, the Dolphins are unlikely to keep both of their WR draft picks on the active roster. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Odell Beckham Jr., and Braxton Berrios are probably safe atop the depth chart, meaning sixth-round rookie Malik Washington or seventh-round rookie Tahj Washington could be squeezed off the roster. The team also has former UDFA River Cracraft and former fourth-round pick Erik Ezukanma pushing for roster spots, so the two rookies won’t be a shoo-in for Miami’s initial 53-man roster.
Beasley ultimately projects that Malik Washington will earn one of the final spots on the roster. The receiver broke out during his lone season at Virginia, finishing with 110 catches for 1,426 yards and nine touchdowns. Tahj Washington spent the past three seasons at USC, culminating in a 2023 campaign where he finished with career-highs in receptions (59), receiving yards (1,062), and touchdowns (eight).
Guaranteed Money A “Sticking Point” In Tagovailoa Extension Talks?
As the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa continue their staring contest, we’ve getting some clarity on the main obstacle during extension talks. As Adam H. Beasley of ProFootballNetwork.com writes, guaranteed money is “what most believe is the sticking point” in the ongoing contract negotiations.
A report from last month indicated Miami has yet to submit a market-value offer, but as Beasley notes, it would be “foolish” for the Dolphins to offer Tagovailoa “anything substantially less” than the $53MM average annual value set by Jared Goff (and recently surpassed by Trevor Lawrence). Assuming the two sides are around the same range for AAV, the extension’s guaranteed money would be the next major hurdle.
Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow, Lawrence, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Herbert all earned at least $130MM fully guaranteed at signing on their respective extensions. While Tagovailoa’s camp may not necessarily be looking to top that list (Watson leads the way with $230MM, followed by Burrow at $146MM), Beasley believes the QB is pushing for at least a nine-figure guarantee…and the writer also believes the Dolphins will be reluctant to reach that mark.
While the win-now Dolphins aren’t necessarily in position to play hard ball with their franchise quarterback, Beasley doesn’t blame the organization for being wary of Tagovailoa’s impending guarantees. The former first-round pick has dealt with his fair share of injuries and concussions, and while 2023 represented a clear step forward for the 26-year-old, he still failed to guide his squad to any playoff success.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald previously noted that both parties “seem determined” to work out an extension agreement, and it doesn’t sound like negotiations have been contentious. Still, until the two sides agree to a new deal, Tagovailoa can still threaten a holdout. While the QB could face more than $5MM in fines by skipping training camp and the regular season, that still may be in the player’s interest if he’s able to recoup that lost value via additional guarantees, per Beasley.
Tagovailoa’s extension will continue to hang over the Dolphins with training camp rapidly approaching. At the start of the offseason, both sides wished for speedy negotiations as they looked to avoid the drama. With veterans set to report on July 23, we’ll see if the organization feels any pressure to finalize a deal.
The NFL’s Longest-Tenured Head Coaches
Following 2023’s five-team coaching carousel, this offseason featured a quarter of the jobs becoming available. One HC-needy team (New England) did not put its position on the market, promoting Jerod Mayo, but the rest did. The Patriots’ decision also produced the first shakeup among the league’s longest-tenured head coach list since 2013.
Since the Eagles fired Andy Reid, Bill Belichick‘s Patriots HC stint had run the longest. After a 4-13 season, the six-time Super Bowl-winning leader was moved out of the picture. No team hired Belichick, generating a wave of rumors, and only one (Atlanta) brought him in for an official interview. While Belichick should be expected to take at least one more run at a third-chance HC gig, Mike Tomlin rises into the top spot on this list.
Tomlin is going into his 18th season with the Steelers, and while he has surpassed Bill Cowher for longevity, the steady leader still has a ways to go to reach Chuck Noll‘s 23-season Pittsburgh benchmark. Tomlin, 52, enters the 2024 season 17-for-17 in non-losing seasons, separating himself from his predecessors in that regard.
Belichick’s ouster brought far more attention, but his Patriots predecessor also slid out of the HC ranks after a 14-year Seattle stay. Pete Carroll‘s third HC shot elevated the Seahawks to their franchise peak. No Hawks HC comes close to Carroll’s duration, and while the Super Bowl winner was interested in remaining a head coach, no team interviewed the 72-year-old sideline staple.
Belichick and Carroll’s exits leave only Tomlin, John Harbaugh and Reid as coaches who have been in place at least 10 years. With Mike Vrabel also booted this offseason, only eight HCs have held their current jobs since the 2010s. A few 2017 hires, however, stand out; Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay and Sean McDermott have now each signed multiple extensions. Now riding back-to-back Super Bowl wins, Reid joined Tomlin in signing an offseason extension.
Here is how the 32 HC jobs look for the 2024 season:
- Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers): January 27, 2007; extended through 2027
- John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens): January 19, 2008; extended through 2025
- Andy Reid (Kansas City Chiefs): January 4, 2013; extended through 2029
- Sean McDermott (Buffalo Bills): January 11, 2017; extended through 2027
- Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams): January 12, 2017; extended through 2027
- Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers): February 6, 2017; extended through 2027
- Matt LaFleur (Green Bay Packers): January 8, 2019: signed extension in July 2022
- Zac Taylor (Cincinnati Bengals): February 4, 2019; extended through 2026
- Mike McCarthy (Dallas Cowboys): January 7, 2020
- Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns): January 13, 2020; signed offseason extension
- Robert Saleh (New York Jets): January 15, 2021
- Dan Campbell (Detroit Lions): January 20, 2021; extended through 2027
- Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia Eagles): January 21, 2021
- Matt Eberflus (Chicago Bears): January 27, 2022
- Brian Daboll (New York Giants): January 28, 2022
- Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota Vikings): February 2, 2022
- Doug Pederson (Jacksonville Jaguars): February 3, 2022
- Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins): February 6, 2022
- Dennis Allen (New Orleans Saints): February 7, 2022
- Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): March 30, 2022
- Sean Payton (Denver Broncos): January 31, 2023
- DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans): January 31, 2023
- Shane Steichen (Indianapolis Colts): February 14, 2023
- Jonathan Gannon (Arizona Cardinals): February 14, 2023
- Jerod Mayo (New England Patriots): January 12, 2024
- Antonio Pierce (Las Vegas Raiders): January 19, 2024
- Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans): January 22, 2024
- Jim Harbaugh (Los Angeles Chargers): January 24, 2024
- Dave Canales (Carolina Panthers): January 25, 2024
- Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons): January 25, 2024
- Mike Macdonald (Seattle Seahawks): January 31, 2024
- Dan Quinn (Washington Commanders): February 1, 2024
Checking In On Unresolved WR Situations
Wide receiver rumors continue to dominate the NFL’s post-minicamp quiet period. The shift atop the receiver market this offseason has complicated matters for other teams, while multiple clubs are also dealing with players attached to upper-middle-class accords.
With training camps less than a month away, here is a look at where the unresolved wideout situations stand:
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
This situation that has generated the most offseason rumors at the position; the 49ers-Aiyuk negotiations have dragged on for months. Progress has been scarce here, to the point Aiyuk requested a meeting to address his value and issues with the 49ers’ tactics during these talks. The Vikings’ Justin Jefferson extension has affected these conversations, with Aiyuk’s camp now seeking a full guarantee near the number ($88.7MM) the Minnesota superstar scored. AAV-wise, Aiyuk’s camp has been connected to pursuing a deal that matches or surpasses the $30.01MM number the Lions reached for Amon-Ra St. Brown. Aiyuk did not show for OTAs or minicamp.
Aiyuk, 26, is due a $14.12MM fifth-year option salary. His next step would be to hold out, risking $50K in per-day fines. The 49ers could waive them, as they did for Nick Bosa, since Aiyuk is on a rookie contract. That separates this situation from a few others here, and it is certainly possible the sides do not come together on a deal. Aiyuk not bringing down his guarantee request would run the risk of that happening.
While Aiyuk expects to be a 49er for a fifth season, the value gulf here — one partially created by the big-ticket deals other WRs have agreed to this offseason — threatens to prevent this situation from concluding smoothly like Deebo Samuel‘s did in 2022. The 49ers guaranteed Samuel $41MM at signing, illustrating how far the team and Aiyuk may be apart. Conversely, an agreement here — with the 49ers preparing for a Brock Purdy payday and having drafted Ricky Pearsall in Round 1 — would point to a 2025 Samuel trade. The 49ers discussed trades involving both their top wideouts, but John Lynch shut down those rumors post-draft.
Amari Cooper, Browns
The two-year Browns contributor joined Aiyuk in skipping minicamp, having seen his Cowboys-constructed contract fall in the pecking order (from second to 20th) due to the market booms of 2022 and 2024. Cooper signed a five-year deal, as the Cowboys prefer longer-term accords, in 2020 and missed out on cashing in as the market soared during the contract’s lifespan. Having played the lead role for a depleted Browns offense during an 11-6 2023 season, Cooper is aiming to score another payday ahead of his age-30 season.
Browns GM Andrew Berry identified Cooper as an extension candidate earlier this offseason, and Kevin Stefanski acknowledged talks have taken place. The Browns certainly had to assume they would be dealing with Cooper on the contract front once they gave trade pickup Jerry Jeudy a $41MM guarantee at signing (sixth among WRs). The ex-Bronco has yet to post a 1,000-yard season. Cooper has seven, though last season marked the older Alabama alum’s first 1,200-yard year.
With Deshaun Watson in Year 3 of a $230MM guaranteed extension, the Browns feature an unusual roster component. If Cooper were to hold out, the Browns would be unable to waive his $50K-per-day fines due to the 2015 first-rounder not being on a rookie contract.
As it stands, Cooper is tied to a $23.78MM cap number. Cleveland could reduce that with an extension, but Cooper’s age offers a slight complication. This does not appear an acrimonious dispute, and the sides are hoping for a pre-training camp resolution.
Tee Higgins, Bengals
This matter appears simpler, as Higgins has signed his $21.82MM franchise tender. Unlike Jessie Bates two years ago, Higgins is obligated to attend camp. The other eight players to receive a franchise or transition tag have signed extensions, each doing so several weeks ago. The Bengals have shown no indications they plan to extend their No. 2 wide receiver before the July 15 deadline, and while Higgins requested a trade, he has acknowledged he expects to remain in Cincinnati for the 2024 season. A trade could occur after the tag deadline, but the Bengals are highly unlikely — after resisting trade interest at the 2023 trade deadline — to move Higgins this year.
The Bengals and Higgins have discussed an extension for more than a year, and a modest offer — well south of $20MM per year — prompted the 6-foot-4 receiver to play out his fourth season. Gunning to dethrone the Chiefs and finish a mission they nearly accomplished in Super Bowl LVI, the Bengals tagged Higgins and are preparing to run back their standout receiver pair for a fourth year. If/once Higgins is tied to the tag this season, the sides cannot restart talks until January 2025. It is unclear if the Bengals would consider re-tagging Higgins next year, but the early word leans against this reality.
Joe Burrow‘s cap number spikes by $17MM between 2024 and 2025, moving past $46MM next year, and the Bengals have a receiver extension earmarked for Ja’Marr Chase. Though, Chase talks will be interesting after Jefferson’s guarantee figures surfaced.
Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
This is a rather unusual situation, but one that reminds of another Dolphins matter from recent years. Hill is tied to a four-year, $120MM extension; that deal runs through 2026. But the future Hall of Famer is already seeking a new contract. Teams rarely accommodate players with three years of team control remaining, due to the precedent it sets, but Hill has shown himself to be one of the top receivers of this era. He has delivered back-to-back first-team All-Pro offerings and has made a significant difference in Tua Tagovailoa‘s development. The Dolphins have not shut Hill down on this matter.
Hill, 30, is believed to have approached the Dolphins about an update before the St. Brown, Jefferson and A.J. Brown deals came to pass, but those contracts intensified the ninth-year veteran’s pursuit. Rather than a push for more guarantees on his current contract, Hill confirmed he is seeking a new deal. Teams are not big on giving back years to players, the Texans’ unusual move to lop three years off Stefon Diggs‘ contract notwithstanding, and agreeing on another extension — with customary guarantees — so soon would make for one of the more interesting decisions in this key chapter in WR history.
Dolphins GM Chris Grier has set a precedent on this front, giving in to Xavien Howard‘s demands for a new contract in 2022 despite being tied to a deal that covered three more seasons. The Dolphins have given Jaylen Waddle a big-ticket extension, one that is structured in a more player-friendly way than Hill’s backloaded $30MM-AAV pact. Signing deals that at the time broke the receiver AAV record, Hill and Davante Adams allowed their respective teams to insert phony final-year salaries — which almost definitely will not be paid out — to inflate the overall value.
No trade rumors have emerged here, as Hill wants to stay in Miami for his career’s remainder. Though, it will be interesting to see what comes out of these talks if the Dolphins decline Hill’s request this year. Hill is attached to a $31.23MM cap number.
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
The Vikings’ decision to authorize outlier guarantees for Jefferson probably affects the Cowboys most, as Lamb is also a 2020 first-round draftee who has shown himself to be one of the NFL’s best receivers. Lamb, 25, has been the centerpiece of the Cowboys’ passing attack since the team traded Amari Cooper — for salary purposes — in 2022. He is coming off a first-team All-Pro season — the first by a Dallas wideout since Dez Bryant in 2014 — and is tied to a $17.99MM fifth-year option figure. If Lamb does not land a new deal by training camp, he is prepared to follow Zack Martin‘s lead and hold out.
Dormant during the spring, Lamb extension talks are expected to pick up this summer. The Oklahoma alum’s interest in becoming the NFL’s highest-paid wideout veered toward shakier ground for the Cowboys following this offseason’s run of deals. The Cowboys not going through with a Lamb extension last year has certainly cost them, as Lamb’s camp has Jefferson’s guarantees to cite now. Dallas has not guaranteed a receiver more than $40MM at signing and typically holds the line on contracts spanning at least five years. Based on where the WR market has gone in terms of contract length, Lamb’s camp will likely make this a central issue in the sides’ negotiations.
Dallas not pushing this process past the goal line in 2023 has also created a situation in which Lamb and Dak Prescott are in contract years, a window that has opened just as Micah Parsons has become extension-eligible. The Cowboys are expected to first address their quarterback’s deal, which could be a tricky proposition due to Prescott’s tactics during his long-running extension talks earlier this decade, but a Lamb pact coming together by training camp is still in play. The Cowboys’ glut of extension candidates has created one of the more complicated contract situations in recent NFL history.
Courtland Sutton, Broncos
Checking in on a lower tier compared to the above-referenced receiver situations, Sutton continues to push for an update to his Denver deal. The Broncos have their top wide receiver attached to a four-year, $60MM extension that runs through 2025. Although just about every Broncos contract matter is overshadowed by the team’s Russell Wilson mistake, the team did well to lock down Sutton at what became a club-friendly rate during the 2021 season. After Sutton scored 10 touchdowns to help Wilson bounce back — to a degree, at least — in 2023, he has made an effort to secure better terms.
Sutton, 28, is believed to be angling for a raise from his $13MM 2024 base salary. The seventh-year target has been connected to seeking a bump to around $16MM. The Broncos did resolve a Chris Harris impasse by authorizing a raise, but the All-Decade CB was a better player who was in a contract year. Sutton reported to Denver’s minicamp but has not committed to showing up for training camp. Last month, the sides were at a stalemate. Tied to a $17.39MM cap number, Sutton would not be able to recoup any fines for a holdout due to being on a veteran contract.
Trade interest emerged during the draft, and the former second-round pick has regularly resided in departure rumors over the past two years. The Broncos cut the cord on fellow trade-rumor mainstay Jerry Jeudy, which stands to make Sutton more important as the team develops Bo Nix. Though, the Broncos have added a few wideouts on Sean Payton‘s watch. If younger players like Marvin Mims and fourth-round rookie Troy Franklin show promise, it is possible the Broncos revisit Sutton trade talks. Up until Week 1, only $2MM of Sutton’s base salary is guaranteed.
Latest On Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa Talks
A number of quarterback dominoes have yet to fall this offseason, and the situation regarding Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins remains unsettled. A lucrative investment in the Pro Bowl passer could still very well be worked out relatively soon, however. 
Contract talks have been ongoing throughout the spring, and developments on the QB front have helped Tagovailoa’s bargaining position. The Lions gave Jared Goff a third contract carrying an annual average value of $53MM before Trevor Lawrence secured a Jaguars extension worth $55MM per year. Tagovailoa is younger than Goff while he has generally outproduced Lawrence when healthy.
Keeping that in mind, the 26-year-old has publicly stated how he is well aware of where the market currently is, suggesting a hometown discount should not be expected in his case. Tagovailoa is already thought to have turned down at least one extension offer, and while he has cited progress there is ground still to be made up. A report from last week indicated Miami has yet to submit a market-value offer.
Still, efforts from team and player continue on the negotiating front. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes both parties “seem determined” to work out an extension agreement, adding a “decent chance” remains that one will be in place before the start of the 2024 season. Plenty of blockbuster extensions are not finalized until training camp, and this summer is likely to be no different with a number of potential holdouts looming and the likes of Dak Prescott and Jordan Love also positioned for big-money QB deals.
As things stand, Tagovailoa is set to play out his $23.17MM fifth-year option this season. The Alabama product put together a healthy campaign in 2023, leading the league in passing yards (4,624) while adding a career-high 29 touchdowns. Questions about his durability and ceiling as a passer could limit the team’s willingness to make a long-term investment, on the other hand, which could lead to a patient approach and a potential 2025 franchise tag coming into play.
Of course, the Dolphins also have the Tyreek Hill contract situation as a summer priority. The former receiver leader (in terms of annual average compensation) is seeking a raise, and accommodating that wish will alter Miami’s cap structure for 2024 and beyond. With respect to Tagovailoa, meanwhile, traction at the negotiating table will be worth watching closely for.
AFC East Rumors: Hall, Dolphins, Jones
Jets running back Breece Hall is now two seasons into his NFL career, and the former second-round pick out of Iowa State still doesn’t believe his full potential has been put on display as a pro. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Hall has put a rookie-year ACL tear in the past and is looking forward to the 2024 NFL season.
Hall hit the ground running as a rookie in New York. Despite coming off the bench in his first five games before finally starting games 6 and 7, Hall was able to rack up 463 rushing yards, 218 receiving yards, and five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving). His tremendous rookie campaign was cut short by the ACL and meniscus tears, and though he came back to play all 17 games in 2023, he failed to show that same promise. Last year, in 16 starts, Hall managed 994 rushing yards, 591 receiving yards, and nine total touchdowns: not a bad season by any means, but certainly not the delivery of the promise from his rookie season.
This offseason, though, Hall gets to take a different approach. “I ended the season on a good note,” Hall told the media. “Last season, (I was) still not feeling 100 percent all the time, but now, I had my first offseason to not just be trying to get back but to get better. And I’ve gotten better this offseason. I’m a lot leaner. I feel a lot healthier My knee feels a lot better. I just feel like I’m back to my old self.”
Here are a couple other rumors from around the AFC East:
- The Dolphins have welcomed new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, while former coordinator Vic Fangio has taken the same job in Philadelphia. In another Sports Illustrated piece, Breer underlined how a “one-voice approach” led to Fangio losing the respect of his defense in Miami. Fangio’s approach in meetings minimized the role of his position coaches, and that frustration allegedly bled through to the players who began to ignore defensive calls and freelance on the field. Weaver stands to resonate with his assistants and players better in 2024. A position coach in Baltimore for the last three years, Weaver saw his input magnified by head coach John Harbaugh, who awarded him the additional title of assistant head coach after his first season with the Ravens. Seeing his own input valued in that manner should encourage him to seek the same out of his own assistants in Miami this year.
- As the Bills attempted to rattle off a string of wins to close the season and make the playoffs last year, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones was activated from injured reserve with two games remaining in the regular season. Jones came back from a torn pectoral muscle to finish the season with his team but was certainly not 100 percent upon his return from injury. After deciding to re-sign to return to Buffalo on a new two-year deal, Jones is reportedly feeling much better. According to Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News, Jones is back to feeling 100 percent and should return to a crucial role on the defensive line in 2024.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill Seeking New Deal
Tyreek Hill reset the WR market a few years ago with a $30MM average annual value on his four-year pact. He’s recently been leaped by Justin Jefferson ($35MM), A.J. Brown ($32MM), and Amon-Ra St. Brown ($30.02MM), and teammate Jaylen Waddle earned more guaranteed money in his lucrative extension than Hill got in his Miami deal. With only a year’s worth of guaranteed money remaining on the veteran’s contract, Hill is naturally pushing for a revised contract.
[RELATED: Tyreek Hill Addresses Contract Situation]
In a conversation with Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Hill acknowledged that he’s looking for a new deal.
“I’m very excited to like just be a part of the old wave, which was $30 million, and Justin Jefferson came and surpassed that, man,” Hill said. “So, very proud of those guys, happy for obviously my teammate Waddle getting his new deal. For guys like me, that’s great. I’m 30 years old, also looking for a new deal. So, very, very excited to see where I fit into that category. It’s amazing.”
Hill is still playing on the four-year, $120MM contract he inked with the Dolphins in 2022. However, the 2024 campaign will mark the final year where Hill is connected to any guaranteed money. With a lofty $50MM-plus cap hit coming during the 2026 season (plus a potential out in the contract following the 2024 campaign), it would make sense for both sides to return to the negotiating table.
While Hill has put up incredible numbers since joining the Dolphins, he’ll be entering his age-30 season in 2024. That would probably make him hard pressed to approach Jefferson’s record AAV, although Hill once admitted that he’s never necessarily aspired to be the league’s highest-paid WR. That could lead to some common ground between the two sides, allowing Hill to lock in more guaranteed money and/or a higher AAV while the Dolphins can clean their books for 2025 and 2026.
Fortunately for the organization, it doesn’t sound like Hill is distracted by a potential pay raise. He told Wilson that his lone focus is to help the Dolphins get over the hump.
“Oh yeah, for sure, so very excited for it, man, but the real goal is to win the Super Bowl,” Hill said. “It’s cool to get paid and all that, but you know being able to win a Super Bowl and bring something special to the city of Miami, that’s something that can live with us forever. I believe that’s very monumental for all of us. Create greatness, man.”