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What does Tyreek Hill’s injury mean for his future? Could he retire after 2025?

The 2026 NFL Draft is now behind the Kansas City Chiefs, but trying to perfect the roster is a never-ending job.

The Chiefs may have a youth movement happening on defense, but their offense is made up mostly of veterans. None of their projected 11 starters for the 2026 season are rookies, and most of them have been with Kansas City for multiple years.

Tyreek Hill Given ‘More Than 50 Percent Chance’ to Return to Kansas City Chiefs

ESPN’s Chiefs insider Nate Taylor joined 96.5 The Fan on Thursday to discuss a variety of topics about the team. When they got on the subject of free agents that could still be added, Taylor was asked what he felt the odds were that Hill returns to Kansas City.

“We know that Tyreek is planning to play this upcoming season,” Taylor said. “You’re going to get more updates on his health, given his rehab. We know he’s a diligent worker, so I don’t think that’s the issue. I don’t want to be hyperbolic or over the top, but I think there’s like more than a 50 percent chance that he’s in a Chiefs uniform. I will put it at like 55 percent, maybe even 60.”

Taylor went on to explain why a reunion between Hill and the Chiefs makes sense.

“He already knows the coaching staff, the health and medical staff, the athletic training staff,” Taylor continued. “It would be an easier transition for him.”

Taylor also stated that Hill would have been Kansas City’s best receiver last season, and could be in 2026 as well.

“If he’s going to be as healthy as he was, or he’s going to be the same form he was before the injury in Miami early last season, by advanced metrics, yes, he would have been their best receiver last year,” Taylor said. “I think people forget the first three-four weeks Tyreek Hill was very good. It’s just that he was playing with a quarterback who was not at his best in Tua Tagovailo.”

Chiefs Bringing Back Kareem Hunt in 2024 Is Proof Tyreek Hill Could Return in 2026

Taylor compared Hunt’s return to Kansas City to Hill potentially rejoining the Chiefs.

“They brought back Kareem Hunt, and I never, ever thought that was going to happen based on how that relationship deteriorated and the fact that he lied to the organization about his misconduct,” Taylor continued. “In my mind, that was a learning lesson for me. Relationships can develop over time. You hope players mature and make better decisions over time. You’re not young anymore, so you actually appreciate the second opportunity.”

Hill turned down a contract extension from the Chiefs following the 2021 season, leading to him getting traded to the Miami Dolphins. He received a massive four-year, $120 million contract upon arrival in Miami. Hill tore multiple ligaments in his left knee in Week 4 of the 2025 season, including his ACL, which led to him getting released in February of 2026.

It seems unlikely that Hill will be ready to play in Week 1, but he may be ready by the middle of the season. The Chiefs bringing him back makes sense financially as he won’t command high dollar coming off a serious injury, and it makes sense on the field given he is familiar with many of Kansas City’s players and coaches.

Nick Roesch Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch