Tyreek Hill says Dolphins will go as far as Tua takes them
MIAMI GARDENS — It’s a common opinion that’s stated outside of Miami Dolphins facilities, by fans and NFL analysts on national television filling the offseason months with content and narratives. But rarely do you hear it from within the team.
Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, speaking after the team’s final practice of mandatory minicamp Thursday, said, “We’re only going to go as far as our quarterback is going to take us.”
Many arrive at this conclusion because Miami’s roster appears very strong across various position groups, including possibly the best receiver and cornerback duos in the league, and have few holes. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, while playing the most important position in likely all of team sports, needs to prove he can remain available and healthy for a full season in 2023 while building on new on-the-field standards set in 2022.
And if Tagovailoa can’t get through the season after missing 5 1/2 games due to two stints in concussion protocol last season, the Dolphins are looking at either Mike White or Skylar Thompson to play quarterback for a team with aspirations to contend for a Super Bowl.
Tagovailoa has taken measures this offseason to improve his durability. He has strengthened his body, taken jiu-jitsu lessons to better prepare himself for hits and falls that can cause concussions and has experimented with a new, safer helmet.
Hill did not participate in team drills through Dolphins organized team activities and mandatory minicamp. Coach Mike McDaniel detailed a cautious approach being taken with Hill in May and June and “minor stuff” physically for Hill the Dolphins don’t want to turn into major concerns come the start of the season.
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But Hill is building on the rapport with Tagovailoa after a first season in Miami where he earned first-team All-Pro honors for the fourth time in his career and a seventh Pro Bowl selection.
“For me going into Year 2, it’s all about learning the playbook more, understanding where Tua wants me to be at on the field and how just everything operates,” Hill said. “Last year for me was like a blur. I had to come, I had to learn the playbook, I had to get to know my teammates. And this year everything has slowed down.
“Last year, I was just out there balling. I was just out there just using all athleticism. Like, ‘Here, Tua, I’m going to be here and we’re just going to do that.’ So this year should be a crazier year.”
So after going for 119 receptions, 1,710 yards and seven touchdowns in a 2022 where he had multiple games catching passes from backups Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson while Tagovailoa was out, Hill feels the NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiving season is a realistic goal.
“For sure,” Hill said. “I think the added game gives me quite the advantage.”
If Hill can avoid injury, he believes everything else in the Dolphins offense suits him for that mark.
“I’ve got obviously the most accurate quarterback in the NFL,” said Hill, stating what was a surprising, headline-inducing assessment the first time he made it on his podcast last offseason. “I’ve got one of the best head coaches in the NFL and also my position coach (Wes Welker) is a monster.”
From Hill’s perspective, Tagovailoa’s voice has grown with his teammates between last offseason and now.
“Tua has stepped up a lot in his leadership role,” Hill said. “He’s more vocal with the offense and leading and group chats and stuff like that.”
Hill said Tagovailoa will organize throwing sessions with the wideouts outside of team facilities, something Hill once had to tell him he can feel comfortable pushing on his wideouts as their quarterback.
“I’m really hoping that Tua wants to go back to Hawaii because that way I can sneak a vacation in with the family and also get some work in,” Hill said.
