Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill seemed to check out on his team during their season-ending loss to the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon. But after the game, head coach Mike McDaniel didn’t seem eager to delve into the matter.
During his postgame press conference, McDaniel admitted that Tyreek Hill declined to take the field even though he was physically able to play.
“I was informed that he was unavailable right before a drive,” McDaniel said, as reported by Pro Football Talk. “I was not informed that it was a new injury, and I think at that point of time my focus was on the players and I didn’t take the time to go and try and figure out more into that. There were guys on the field that were competing, and we were trying to win a game, so my focus was there.”
When pressed on whether Hill had removed himself from the game, McDaniel stopped short of giving a clear answer.
“I was informed he wasn’t available, and I didn’t really have the time to dig more into that and we’ll see what comes of that after watching the tape and talking to coaches and the training staff,” McDaniel said.
When asked for further details about how he learned Hill was unavailable, McDaniel offered little explanation.
“It was discussed by the coaching staff on the headset and the play clock was running, so I moved on and called plays for people that were out there,” McDaniel stated.
To make matters worse, Hill didn’t just quit during the game, he also made it clear that he is ready to leave the team altogether.
“I don’t even know, bruh,” Hill said after the game according to Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. “This is my first time I haven’t been in the playoffs, man, so, I mean, for me, I’ve just got to do what’s best for me and my family. If that’s here, or wherever the case may be — I’m [about to] open that door for myself.
“Yeah, I’m opening the door — I’m out, bruh,” Hill continued. “So, it was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I’ve got to do what’s best for my career and what’s best — because I’m too much of a competitor to be just out there.”
Needless to say, this whole situation led to a lot of reactions on social media.
“What an embarrassing quitter,” someone wrote on X.
“This guy is never ever happy. Wants to play in Miami & wants a new contract. He gets both and still isn’t happy. He constantly cries and whines. Hopefully they trade him to the Browns or another outside cold weather team so he can really cry about his targets etc,” another person added.
“Sounds like things are going well,” someone else said.
“McDaniel is such a pushover,” another person added.
“McDaniel cried for this dude,” one fan joked.
“He’s selfish, usually a bad sign for team comradery,” someone else said.
All signs now point to Hill’s time in Miami coming to an end.
