Chiefs Urged To Reunite Patrick Mahomes With Tyreek Hill After 2026 NFL Draft
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs endured a disappointing 2025 season, as the star quarterback's campaign was cut short by ACL and LCL tears. The Chiefs finished the season 6–11, missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.
General manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid have since been working to reset the roster ahead of 2026. However, following the NFL Draft, one key area of concern remains: the receiving corps.
Kansas City's wide receiver group includes Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Tyquan Thornton, alongside star tight end Travis Kelce. But with Worthy and Rice coming off underwhelming and injury-hit seasons, and Kelce in the final stage of his career, many believe the unit needs an upgrade.
Among them is sports commentator Nick Wright, who believes a reunion with Tyreek Hill could make sense.
"I think he's definitely worth a flier," Wright said on First Things First. "I mean, he and Andry Reid have a relationship. He and Mahomes have a relationship. And there's a chance that a catastrophic knee injury undid Tyreek Hill as an effective NFL player, so I won't be interested in giving him a long, big-money deal.
"But Tyreek Hill, at his peak, was the single-best athlete in the NFL. Post that injury, if he can be 80% of that, that's still a plus athlete and I do think while the Chiefs supplemented their receivering core, and don't have a desparate need, and I don't think Tyreek Hill, at this point in his career, should be anybody's number 1 receiver until you see him after the injury, but if he's gonna play next year, I'd imagine it would be for the Chiefs and I told you guys three years ago that I thought, in 2026, Tyreek Hill would be a Kansas City Chief."
Hill, who was drafted by Kansas City in 2016, developed into one of the league's top wide receivers during his time with the franchise, winning a Super Bowl and earning multiple All-Pro honors. After being traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2022, he continued to excel, recording back-to-back 1,700-yard seasons.
However, Hill fell short of 1,000 receiving yards in 2024 during a down year for Miami, and his 2025 season was cut short by a serious knee injury in Week 4.
Now a free agent, Hill is still recovering, and uncertainty surrounding his health has limited interest around the league. Given his familiarity with the system and existing relationships, a return to Kansas City could be a logical fit.
According to PFSN's Alex Kennedy, Hill could command a one-year deal worth around $10.1 million. The Chiefs currently have limited cap space, roughly $6.9 million, and would need to make financial adjustments. However, if they aim to quickly return to Super Bowl contention, a short-term deal could be a worthwhile gamble.
Related: Patrick Mahomes Reacts to Jets Drafting David Bailey
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 5:25 AM.