After their bye week, it seems as if the Miami Dolphins have found a new offensive identity. Most importantly, an offensive identity that could mean the moving on of one of their star wideouts.
After a season-ending injury, Tyreek Hill’s status for 2026 and beyond certainly looks bleak. This all circles back to offseason discussions surrounding Tyreek Hill and a potential Miami exit. His future with the Dolphins has grown ever more uncertain over the past couple of weeks as the Dolphins have thrived in their life without him. One must also consider the cost of keeping Hill financials wise as well. If Miami designate him as a post-June 1st release, they would be able to save 36 millions dollars of cap space and only eat 15.6 million worth of dead money. Still, going back to the offensive shift, no matter what the Dolphins look like next year, they could already be preparing for life without him.
Emergence of a New Ground-and-Pound Identity
Consider the stats for the Dolphins in their past couple of games offensively. After losing Hill in Week 4, the Dolphins proceeded to lose three of their next four. During that skid though, they seemed to tap into a new offensive identity. In the first four games of the season, the Dolphins just has 292 rushing yards. In their three game losing streak sans Hill, they rushed for 255 yards, and since his injury, have rushed for over 100 yards four times. Without Hill as a decoy, the run game has successfully set up the passing game. The addition of a 6th O-lineman, it truly has opened up new avenues for the Fins to explore.
A Future Without Hill Becomes More Realistic
GettyHill could be moved after a shift in the Dolphins’ offensive game plans
Furthermore, in their last three games, two of which were wins, the Dolphins rushed the ball 83 times, including a season high 32 times in their upset win over the Bills. It is clear that despite the fact the team could have a wholly different look by next year, the success of the team this year and maybe beyond stems from the run game.
Still, Hill himself has said nothing is off the table, including retirement, after such a significant injury. “I’m at the point now where I need to have a conversation with mom, family, everybody. Wherever my mind is at the time, the decision will be made, but I know right now, I haven’t had time to live in the moment,” Hill said after his injury. It seems as if the decision will come when fully healthy, but the Dolphins could also have a say in his future should they hold out on him until June. For now, he remains a huge risk as a potential trade candidate and teams will most certainly want to see him look good on a field before taking any action. Still, what with a shift in the offensive mindset of the team, no one can truly say that Tyreek Hill will remain in Miami for much longer. Especially after such a gruesome injury.
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