While the other teams in the AFC West strengthen themselves with top players, the Kansas City Chiefs let Tyreek Hill, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, move to the Miami Dolphins. But what does the Hill trade mean for the Chiefs and the division?

Munich – Out of nowhere, rumours of Tyreek Hill leaving the Kansas City Chiefs surfaced. Then suddenly everything happened very quickly. The star receiver signed a monster contract with the Miami Dolphins and many NFL fans are now wondering why the Chiefs let this figurehead go.

Because with the Hill trade, Kansas City is going a completely different route than the other three franchises in the division.

The Denver Broncos, as well as the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers, have all made massive additions this crazy offseason.

Tyreek Hill: The next monster offseason deal

Some experts and fans are even talking about the most spectacular offseason in history. Understandable, because the AFC West alone has added a few really big names. The Broncos made a monster trade with Russell Wilson and strengthened themselves at the quarterback position. The Raiders got Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers and made him the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL.

The Chargers have also bolstered their defence with one of the best players in the league with the spectacular trade of Khalil Mack. And what do the Chiefs do? They let a player of similar calibre move to Miami just like that.

Talks between Hill and Chiefs stalled

While the Chiefs were probably already in deeper talks with Hill about a possible contract extension that would have paid the 28-year-old more than $20 million annually. There was even an offer that would have made “Cheetah” one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league. Nevertheless, they parted ways after six years because Hill turned down the offer and the team subsequently released him for a trade.

Hill’s new four-year contract is reportedly worth a whopping $120 million, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus, with over $72 million of that guaranteed.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the New York Jets were also in the trade race for the six-time Pro Bowler until the very end. But the decision was made in favour of the Dolphins. In return, the Chiefs will get three picks in this year’s draft (rounds one, two and four) and two picks in the 2023 draft (rounds four and six) from Miami.

Hill trade poses risk to Chiefs

But the departure of the arrow-quick receiver is not without risk. Replacing a man like Hill one on one is virtually impossible. Nevertheless, the Chiefs should look for a successor for him in the offseason, because otherwise there will be a huge gap in the offensive game. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes would certainly welcome an adequate replacement as well.

But the Chiefs’ path is clear: Instead of spending a lot of money on a top player, they also equipped themselves for the future with the picks they received and the money they saved. With the picks they acquired, they could even trade this summer to sign a possible replacement for Hill. However, whether now is the right time to look to the future is open to doubt.

High Voltage in the AFC West

Because the other teams in the AFC West have led the way with their blockbuster deals. With Hill’s trade, however, the Chiefs are swimming against the tide and must now look to avoid falling behind in the division. Because there’s no question that a receiver like Tyreek Hill, who amassed 1,239 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season, is a game-changer. But so are Wilson, Adams and Mack.