PITTSBURGH — The Tyreek Hill era in Miami is officially over, but do not expect the “Cheetah” to land in the Steel City. The icy February winds whipping outside Acrisure Stadium perfectly match the cold, calculated approach of Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan. The Dolphins released the eight-time Pro Bowler on February 16, clearing $22.8 million in cap space while parting ways with a 31-year-old receiver attempting to recover from a catastrophic dislocated knee and torn ACL.
While rumors linked the Pittsburgh Steelers to Hill dating back to his early trade-candidate days, Khan just slammed that door shut.
Pittsburgh completely overhauled its receiver room ahead of the 2025 season by trading for DK Metcalf. Adding Hill to the mix seemed like a fan’s ultimate fantasy football dream, but reality dictates a different path. The atmosphere in the Steelers’ front office is focused on stability, and Hill’s blown-out knee and off-field baggage present massive red flags.
Speaking on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan, NFL insider Mike Florio revealed his recent conversation with Khan regarding the free-agent speedster.
“Look, I have not considered the possibility that the Steelers trade DK Metcalf. Who are you going to replace him with if you trade him? I asked Omar Khan recently about Tyreek Hill and he said, ‘We are happy with what we have.'”
— Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
Hill simply is not the same player who torched defenses for 1,799 yards in 2023. Age and injuries are catching up to his world-class speed. In 2024, his production dropped drastically; he managed just 81 catches for 959 yards and 6 touchdowns across 17 games. Then came the horrific knee injury in Week 4 of the 2025 season against the Jets, ending his year with a mere 265 receiving yards. Watching a once-electric athlete carted off the field was a stark reminder of how fast an NFL window closes.
Beyond the brutal physical toll, Hill carries heavy off-field baggage. Before his season-ending surgery, reports surfaced regarding an NFL probe into a domestic violence situation involving his ex-wife. This adds the looming threat of a league suspension to his already complicated free-agency profile. For a Pittsburgh front office attempting to build chemistry around Metcalf, taking a pricey gamble on an aging, injured receiver facing potential discipline makes zero sense.
With Khan officially out on Hill, the Steelers will focus their remaining cap space on surrounding Metcalf with younger, durable talent via the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. The AFC North is an absolute gauntlet, and Pittsburgh needs reliable weapons, not expensive question marks.
Meanwhile, Hill enters uncharted waters. He turns 32 tomorrow, staring down a grueling rehab process instead of a lucrative contract extension. If he wants to return to the gridiron, he will likely need to sign a heavily incentivized, prove-it deal with a desperate contender. Right now, the Kansas City Chiefs are quietly monitoring his ACL recovery, but Pittsburgh is officially moving on.
