When Tyreek Hill left the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this year to join the Miami Dolphins, the move surprised quite a few people in the NFL. Some Chiefs fans even described the player as a “diva” and that he became so self-indulgent that the Chiefs had to let him go.
However, the wide receiver has ended all speculation and explained why he felt it was the right time to leave Kansas. On the first episode of his new podcast, Hill said that he never wanted to become a “diva” but that the Chiefs’ offensive approach surprised him.
Underutilized and Underpaid
One of the most lethal wide receivers in the NFL said that he couldn’t understand why the Chiefs wouldn’t utilize him, as their best receiver, in favorable one-on-one matches. He pinpointed that difference in opinion and approach as the main reason for their relationship ending.
“When I’m like, yo, I don’t mean to talk or be a diva…, but can I see the pill some time, please? Just give me the ball, please.”
Hill also said that he wasn’t happy with the respect he got when it came to his contract and finances, especially in terms of guaranteed money.
The 28-year-old will now earn US$120 million over four years in Miami, with US$72.2 million guaranteed. That, together with the difference in opinion as to what his role in the team was supposed to be, made him want to leave the Chiefs.
Wanted to Stay But Nobody Listened to His Pleas
Hill said that he tried his best and talked to both coach Reid and Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs quarterback, to find a solution and stay in Kansas, but that they couldn’t come to a compromise.
” I’m like, ‘Look, can we make something happen? Can we make something happen? Can the guaranteed money make sense to me? Can it make sense to my family, please?'”
Unfortunately for Hill, he failed to convince his former team to give him a pay rise. That means he will now line up next to Tua Tagovailoa instead of Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes. Even though Hill praised Tua for being more accurate than Mahomes, it is obvious he will not get the same service as before.
Hill went on to say that he didn’t care if gained notoriety because he decided to move to Miami. He said he only cared about “respect within the building” and if he was notorious outside the building, he had no problem with that, as that didn’t win games.
Agent: Hill Was a Real “Trooper”
Drew Rosenhaus, Hill’s agent, said that many times his client was “underutilized” and underappreciated. Rosenhaus said that the 28-year-old didn’t want to make a big deal out of it and that he was a professional. Rosenhaus called Hill a “trooper” who “did not make a Peep” about his situation.
Even though Hill was underutilized last season, he still had some decent numbers and helped the Chiefs. However, because of the more reserved offensive approach, his yards per reception were the lowest since 2016. He also had fewer receiving yards and touchdowns than in 2020.
Hopefully, he will get more play in the coming season, what do you think?
