KANSAS CITY, MO — In the heart of a Missouri winter, the heat in Kansas City is currently being generated not by a furnace, but by a single tweet. On Monday night, February 16, 2026, Chiefs superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones set the sports world ablaze, tagging former teammate Tyreek Hill with a simple, three-word directive: “It’s time.”
The plea comes just hours after the Miami Dolphins officially released the eight-time Pro Bowler in a massive cost-cutting move, making “The Cheetah” an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his illustrious 10-year career. For the Kansas City faithful, the message was clear: it’s time to bring the most dangerous deep threat in NFL history back home to Arrowhead.
The Shockwave: Miami’s Rebuild and Hill’s Release
The Dolphins’ decision to part ways with Hill marks the end of an era in South Beach. Faced with a bloated salary cap and coming off back-to-back losing seasons, Miami’s new regime—led by GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley—opted for a total roster facelift.
Hill, who turns 32 in March, was set to carry a massive $51.1 million cap hit in 2026. By releasing him now, the Dolphins cleared roughly $23 million in space as they pivot toward a multi-year rebuild. Hill wasn’t the only casualty of the “President’s Day Massacre” in Miami; the team also released pass rusher Bradley Chubb, guard James Daniels, and wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Miami Dolphins 2026 Salary Cap Cuts
| Player | Position | 2026 Cap Savings |
| Tyreek Hill | WR | $22.8 Million |
| Bradley Chubb | DE | $7.3 Million |
| James Daniels | G | $3.5 Million |
| Nick Westbrook-Ikhine | WR | TBD |
Frequently Asked Questions: Tyreek Hill and the Potential Chiefs Reunion
Following the news of Tyreek Hill’s release from the Miami Dolphins on February 16, 2026, and the subsequent “recruitment” tweet from Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, fans have many questions. Here are the answers to the most common queries regarding the “Cheetah’s” future.
1. Why was Tyreek Hill released by the Miami Dolphins?
The release was primarily a financial move. Hill was set to carry a massive $51.1 million cap hit in 2026. By releasing him now, the Dolphins avoided paying an $11 million guarantee that would have kicked in later this month. This move is part of a broader roster overhaul in Miami, which also saw the release of other high-profile veterans like Bradley Chubb and James Daniels.
2. What is the status of Tyreek Hill’s knee injury?
Hill suffered a severe knee injury (dislocated knee and multiple torn ligaments) in September 2025. While Hill has publicly vowed to return, stating “The Cheetah don’t slow down,” medical reports suggest the injury is “career-threatening.” It remains unclear if he will be healthy enough to participate in the early portion of the 2026 season, with some experts predicting a recovery time of up to 12 months.
3. Can Tyreek Hill sign with the Chiefs right now?
Yes. Because Hill was released by the Dolphins rather than seeing his contract expire, he is an “immediate” free agent. He does not have to wait for the official start of the NFL league year on March 11, 2026. He is free to negotiate and sign with any team, including the Chiefs, at any time.
4. How much cap space do the Chiefs have for a reunion?
This is the biggest hurdle. The Chiefs are currently estimated to be roughly $55 million over the salary cap for the 2026 season. To sign Hill (whose market value is still projected at around $18 million per year despite the injury), Kansas City would need to restructure several veteran contracts and potentially release other players to get into the positive.
5. What did Chris Jones actually say to Tyreek Hill?
Shortly after the news of Hill’s release broke, Chris Jones tagged Hill on X (formerly Twitter) with a simple message:
“@cheetah it’s ⏰”
The “clock” emoji was widely interpreted as a signal that it is time for Hill to return to the franchise where he won a Super Bowl and earned three First-Team All-Pro nods.
6. How old is Tyreek Hill now?
Tyreek Hill will turn 32 years old on March 1, 2026. If he signs with a new team for the 2026 season, he will be playing in his age-32 campaign.
Quick Stats: Tyreek Hill’s Career (2016–2025)
- Total Career Receiving Yards: 11,363
- Total Career Touchdowns: 83
- Pro Bowls: 8
- Super Bowl Titles: 1 (Super Bowl LIV with the Chiefs)