After struggling on offense at times during a disappointing 2025 season, the Kansas City Chiefs could have a chance to bring back a former favorite target for Patrick Mahomes.

The Chiefs watched their passing attack sputter last season as they missed the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade, with a weakness in their deep game. The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf suggested that a reunion with Tyreek Hill could help them solve the problem.

Tyreek Hill Could Bring ‘Magic’ Back to Kansas City

In an article outlining the best fits for some of the NFL’s top remaining free agents, Yousuf wrote that the Chiefs make the most sense for Hill after his exit from the Miami Dolphins. Yousuf added that tight end Travis Kelce has already decided to come back for one more season, so adding Hill could make sense as well.

“Travis Kelce is running it back for another season, so why not get the old band back together and see if they can rekindle some old magic?” Yousuf wrote. “It’s an environment that Hill is familiar with, so that should help with his rehab from last year’s gruesome injury, and it’s a relatively low-stakes move for the Chiefs.”

Hill was once a top target for Mahomes, but Yousuf suggested he would only need to play a complementary role if he returns to the Chiefs. While the return might be a surprise given Kansas City’s decision to trade Hill to the Dolphins, Yousuf added that it could be a low-risk, high-reward signing.

“Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy are already in place on the depth chart, and they could add another receiving talent in the draft,” Yousuf wrote. “Kansas City has little to lose by bringing Hill back and plenty to gain.”

Tyreek Hill Faces Uncertain Future

It could be difficult for the Chiefs to fully commit to Hill given the uncertainty around his season-ending injury in 2025. He suffered a severe dislocation of his left knee in Week 4, leaving him with multiple torn ligaments including a torn ACL.

Jack McKessy of USA Today reported that Hill would have a long and complicated recovery ahead, one that will include five distinct phases leading up to his return to the field. McKessy predicted that Hill would still have two important steps remaining, leaving doubt as to whether he would be ready for Week 1.

“A return by the start of the 2026 season is possible, though it may take longer depending on Hill’s progression through injury rehab,” McKessy wrote. “Due to some of the uncertainty the injury caused, it may take a while for a team to decide to sign Hill in free agency – and likely at a discounted rate from what his contract value would have been worth a couple of years ago.”

The Chiefs face a similar quandary on Mahomes, who suffered a torn ACL in early December. He has undergone surgery and is progressing through rehab, but it’s not clear if the Chiefs quarterback will be ready to start the season.