Stephen A. Smith Says Leaving the Kansas City Chiefs Was an All-Time Career Blunder for Tyreek Hill

One of the most explosive wide receivers in the NFL, Tyreek Hill, has been with the Miami Dolphins since 2022.

He decided to leave the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes after 2021 when the Cincinnati Bengals managed to be the only AFC team in the last five years to knock off the Chiefs before they made it to the Super Bowl.

Hill joined the Dolphins and QB Tua Tagovailoa in an attempt to replicate what the Bengals did and take down the Chiefs before they got out of the AFC.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith thinks Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill made a huge career mistake by leaving the Kansas City Chiefs

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith took to his show “First Take” to address the slow start that Hill and the Dolphins have had this year.

Stephen A. Smith believes Tyreek Hill’s biggest regret will be that he left Patrick Mahomes and the #Chiefs:

“I think this could end up going down as one of the greatest mistakes an NFL player has ever made in terms of their on-field decisions.”

pic.twitter.com/PXUESLjTkM

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 1, 2024

After losing QB Tua Tagovailoa to another scary concussion, one of the most explosive offenses in the league has been rendered useless. Hill has just 17 receptions for 217 yards and one touchdown in 2024.

Hill’s first game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he did have Tagovailoa, saw him gain 130 yards receiving and a touchdown on seven receptions. Since then, Hill hasn’t had more than four receptions or 40 yards receiving in a game.

Smith didn’t say Hill struggled with Tagovailoa, but rather Tagovailoa’s health situation is not reliable enough for Hill to have consistent success. The Alabama Crimson Tide product has had numerous scary concussions in prime-time games. Two of his concussions were so violent many fans were calling for him to retire.

Very scary as Tua Tagavailoa goes down after a sack, looks like it may have been the second concussion in 4 days. Really not good. pic.twitter.com/2u0Leb69O5

— Dr. Lös Real Polyamorous Tantric Sex Guru (@LosRealAli) September 30, 2022

Oh no. Absolutely horrible to watch.

Tua Tagovailoa convulsing after a hit to the head.

Prayers up.

I don’t think he’s long for the NFL. pic.twitter.com/yXOuDoYP07

— Savage (@SavageSports_) September 13, 2024

Hill was visibly upset during the Dolphins’ Monday Night Football loss to the Tennessee Titans. It was the first time Miami went with newly added QB Tyler “Snoop” Huntley instead of Skylar Thompson.

Tyreek Hill isn’t happy pic.twitter.com/DG9xGvahJa https://t.co/dW4gyXGHIP

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) October 1, 2024

Where does HC Mike McDaniel fit into the equation?

While poor QB play from a player who is new to the team in a complicated offense did not help the Dolphins, head coach Mike McDaniel is also taking a nice helping of criticism.

McDaniel, who is known as an offensive-minded head coach, has struggled to get his offense going despite having one of the most explosive skill groups in the NFL. McDaniel has WRs Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill along with running back De’Von Achane.

Many fans around the NFL world think an offensive-minded head coach should be able to get production with those three guys no matter who you have behind center. McDaniel addressed his shortcomings in an article from TheScore, saying that change is on the table.

“There will be things that will change; hard to say what those things are. There definitely is a need for it,” McDaniel said.

“That (performance is) not even close to good enough. You have to open yourself to all things. … There’s a major disconnect between preparation and execution.”

The Dolphins are now dead last in points per game, 31st in touchdowns scored and 26th in yards per game. A dip in production without your starting QB is forgiven, but having an offense that is dead last in the NFL in scoring as an offensive-minded head coach leaves you a team with no strengths.

McDaniel and company will have to make drastic changes as they head into a divisional matchup with the New England Patriots, whose similarly stagnant offense (31st in points per game) will give the Dolphins a chance to keep up.

More NFL and College Football Articles from Andrew Kusleika on Gridiron Heroics:

• • Cincinnati Bengals: 0-3 is Major Cause for Concern, But There is a Beacon of Hope

  • Los Angeles Chargers S Derwin James Scolded by NFL Executive and Former ‘Dirtiest Player in the League’

  • ESPN Analyst Wants to Ban a Coverage From the NFL So Offenses Can Score More Points

• • Cincinnati Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt Backed Up Talk Yet Still Failed to Beat Kansas City Chiefs
  • Chicago Bears CB Jaylon Johnson Gave Valuable Secrets Away to Opposing Teams

Get More NFL and College Football Content from Andrew Kusleika

For more news and trends in the NFL and college football world, click here or follow me on Twitter @KusleikaAndrew. 

Our Partners