Miami Dolphins’ star wideout Tyreek Hill has been the talk of the NFL this summer, collecting accolades and a hefty contract extension along the way. With a Madden rating reaching the pinnacle at 99 and being named the top player on the NFL 100 list, Hill’s offseason could hardly get any better. This crowning comes with a financial boon too—a four-year extension worth $106.5 million, underscoring his elite status in the league.
However, Hill’s recognition has not been without its controversies. Numerous fans and pundits have openly questioned the decision to rank him above other standout athletes like Patrick Mahomes. Amidst the heated debates, New York Jets standout Sauce Gardner has stepped forward to champion Hill’s cause.
Taking to social media, Gardner, who has firsthand experience defending against Hill, expressed his surprise and support, “Man, it’s great because I’ve been looking through comments of like other people just to see, are these other players getting hate like I’ve been receiving hate? I’m just like, there’s really a lot of people saying that he (Hill) doesn’t deserve to be the No. 1 player.
It shocked me a little but. Me personally, I think it’s well deserved.
You have guys who have to change their whole defense because of him. He’s been around for a minute and he’s a guy that’s hard to guard.
He’s going to present a challenge every time. Like I said, I think he deserved it.”
Despite the backlash, Hill’s on-field performance remains undeniably stellar. In his last encounter with the Jets in 2023, he racked up nine receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, Hill missed the second game against the Jets, which the Dolphins won convincingly with a 30-0 score.
Looking ahead, expectations are once again sky-high for Hill’s performance in the upcoming season. While Gardner acknowledges Hill’s prowess and supports his top ranking, he’s undoubtedly keen to limit Hill’s impact during their encounters on the field this season. As the new NFL season approaches, all eyes will be on Hill to see if he can live up to his top billing and continue to dazzle fans with his dynamic play.