“I definitely had some conversations with people in the locker room that were a little puzzled by that,” Wolfe said. “You’ve got a team captain making a decision in that realm, and there has to be some kind of backlash or talks about what that means.”
There were no official comments from Hill’s representation on whether the star wide receiver requested a trade. Hill’s frustrations are understandable given how the season went, but the way he handled his frustrations is a product of a tough year for the Dolphins.
Miami had fought its way back into the playoff hunt after key injuries and early losses, but with their loss and the Denver Broncos beating the Kansas City Chiefs, the Dolphins were eliminated from the postseason. This is the first postseason Hill will miss since entering the league in 2016.
With a long offseason ahead for Hill and the Dolphins, the future is now murky, and a change of scenery could be best for both parties if animosity builds. Of course, the Dolphins would rather retain the eight-time Pro Bowler, but that may not be up to them.
If Hill were to force a trade, teams that could be a good fit immediately include the upstart Washington Commanders and the wide receiver-needy Green Bay Packers.
Unlike the Dolphins, both are playoff teams, but they still have holes on their roster to fill for next year. Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels impressed in his rookie season and showed a clear connection with wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who recorded over 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth consecutive season. By adding Hill, the Commanders offense could become potent enough to make them a true contender.
For the Packers, wide receiver Christian Watson exited their Week 18 game against the Chicago Bears with a season-ending knee injury that could impact his status for the 2025 season. Quarterback Jordan Love has also shown himself as a rising star in the NFL, but there isn’t a clear No. 1 receiver in Green Bay. Hill could very well end up being Love’s favorite target and the focal point for an already good offense.
Perhaps a reunion with the Chiefs, the team who drafted him, wouldn’t be out of the question. The Chiefs have gone on to win two more Super Bowls since Hill was traded to the Dolphins, but the No. 1 receiver position still hasn’t been settled. Of course, it was Hill who requested a trade from the Chiefs in a similarly tense situation.
Hill will have to overcome his frustration with the 2024 regular season as the Dolphins will look to smooth things over, but more importantly, teams may be hesitant to trade for a player who’s puzzled the only two NFL locker rooms he’s been in.
