HOUSTON – Hoisting a kettle bell while lowering his center of gravity, Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill concentrated intensely on his flexibility and core strength Monday morning while training with NFL and NBA trainer Justin Allen in Houston.
A five-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Hill is one of the most dynamic players in the league with 4.29 speed in the 40-yard dash and elusive moves, crisp routes and sound hands to match his pure acceleration. He tied a career-high with 119 receptions last season and produced his most prolific season with a franchise-record and league-high 1,799 receiving yards and 13 touchdown catches.
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Always seeking to improve, Hill was seeking a boost to his flexibility, especially hip activation, during his workout with Allen.
“I felt great,” Hill told KPRC 2. “You know what? As I was going through that workout, I noticed that I had a lot of things that I needed to work on. I’ve been in the league nine years now, and Justin had a certain perspective of certain things that I need to work on. And that was great for me, because I’m always trying to find a way to get better. So, Justin was awesome for me.
“You’ve got to stay loose, man. You know, me being a fast guy, I’ve got to be able to be mobile, and I’ve got to be able to be flexible because the season is long, as you know, and those hip flexors, all those muscles, they’ve got to be able to move at all times. Justin did a great job of helping me get those active today.”
A year ago, the Dolphins under coach Mike McDaniel’s direction improved to 11-6 and finished second in the AFC East division as they improved from a 9-8 mark two seasons ago. While the Dolphins made strides, ultimately, they didn’t meet their overall goal as the season ended in disappointment in a 26-7 AFC wild-card playoff game loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at frigid Arrowhead Stadium in one of the coldest games in NFL history.
With a talented roster that includes Pro Bowl quarterback Tua Tagovailoa delivering passes to Hill and Houston native Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins, whose last playoff victory was during the 2000 season, are surrounded by high expectations again and Hill has set his ambitions on another prolific season. He’s eyeing a Super Bowl as part of a deep team that returns multiple Pro Bowl selections in himself, Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert, Alec Ingold, Terron Armstead and Jalen Ramsey. The Dolphins ranked first in the NFL with 401.3 yards of total offense per game.
“Very exciting,” Hill said.” As a lot of people know, you’ve got a fast-paced offense. So, really looking forward to taking another step and that next step is winning a playoff game because we’ve got the talent to do it. Obviously, you’ve, got one of the best quarterbacks in the league. So, very excited about that. Also, on defense it was very good.”
#Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill on team goals and expectations for a talented returning playoff squad @cheetah @KPRC2 https://t.co/30dlOFG9qv https://t.co/6C5OnLAjmx pic.twitter.com/Q0X0nPSBMr
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 1, 2024
Hill is part of the wave of skyrocketing wide receiver salaries. Two years ago after being traded from the Chiefs in exchange for first-round and second-round selections, two fourth-round picks and a sixth-round pick, Hill signed a four-year, $120 million contract extension negotiated by veteran agent Drew Rosenhaus that included $72.2 million guaranteed to emerge as the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL with a $30 million annual average.
Hill is entering the final year of his contract that has guaranteed money, $19.7 million, in 2024, followed by $22.9 million in 2025 and $45 million in 2026. An All-Decade selection, Hill is seeking a new deal. This offseason, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson signed a $140 million extension that averages a league-high $35 million annually and includes $88.743 million guaranteed. And Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown is averaging $32 million annually, followed by the Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown’s $30.02 million, Hill at $30 million and Waddle’s $28.25 million averages as the top five highest paid wide receivers in the league.
“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.”
#Dolphins Tyreek Hill on skyrocketing WR market, hope for new deal in #NFL trend Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle 'Very proud of those guys. I'm also looking for a new deal. Very excited to see where I fit into that category' https://t.co/30dlOFG9qv https://t.co/6C5OnLAjmx pic.twitter.com/Qz6Nq0JLP9
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 1, 2024
#Dolphins @MiamiDolphins Tyreek Hill @cheetah on his workout with Justin Allen @justinallen_13 with an emphasis on flexibility @KPRC2 https://t.co/30dlOFG9qv https://t.co/6C5OnLAjmx pic.twitter.com/vsiGTd5HbM
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 1, 2024
A Georgia native who earned a Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs and has caught 717 career passes for 10,139 yards and 76 touchdowns, Hill wants to win more than anything. He’s hungry to bring a Super Bowl to the city of Miami and reward the loyal fans.
“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.”
#Dolphins Tyreek Hill 'The real goal is to win the Super Bowl. It's cool to get paid but 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. Very monumental for all of us' @KPRC2 https://t.co/30dlOFG9qv https://t.co/6C5OnLAjmx pic.twitter.com/OgADqUnmIW
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 1, 2024
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com