By DANIEL MATTHEWS, US SENIOR SPORTS WRITER
Published: 07:13 EST, 17 February 2026 | Updated: 07:13 EST, 17 February 2026
Chiefs star Chris Jones believe it is time for Tyreek Hill to return to Kansas City in the wake of his release by the Miami Dolphins.
The controversial NFL star, who won the Super Bowl with the Chiefs back in February 2020, was axed by the Dolphins as recently-hired head coach Jeff Hafley begins a new era in Miami.
The news sparked uncertainty over the NFL future of Hill, who turns 32 on March 1 and is currently recovering from a dislocated knee and torn ACL.
But on Monday the receiver vowed to return reborn and now Jones wants him back in Kansas City. Hill spent six seasons alongside Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Co - winning Super Bowl LIV - before being traded to Miami in 2022.
The Chiefs are looking to bounce back after a disastrous 2025 campaign and, in a social media message to Hill, Jones posted an emoji of an alarm clock alongside the message: 'It's [time].'
The controversial wide receiver - who has been engulfed in off-field scandal in recent years - was drafted by Kansas City in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Chris Jones says it is time for Tyreek Hill to return to Kansas City after he was axed by Miami
Hill, who turns 32 on March 1, is currently recovering from a dislocated knee and torn ACL
Chiefs defensive tackle Jones took to social media to call on Hill to rejoin the Chiefs
He went on to appear in more than 100 games for the Chiefs - across the regular and postseason - and helped them beat the San Francisco 49ers to win Super Bowl LIV.
Hill spent four seasons with the Dolphins but but his 2025 campaign was ended on September 29 when he suffered the serious knee injury against the New York Jets.
Not long after, the receiver refused to rule out quitting the NFL but on Monday, he promised: 'The Cheetah will be back…Born Again.'
'The Journey Don’t Stop,' he wrote on Instagram. 'From the bottom of my heart, Thank You To the entire Miami Dolphins organization, my teammates, the staff, and most importantly Fins Nation, for an unforgettable 4 years.
'From the moment I landed in Miami, I felt the Love. You believed in me. You pushed me. You celebrated with me. These past few years have been some of the most meaningful of my life and career.'
Hill thanked his 'brothers in the locker room,' his former coaches and the fans in South Florida. 'Miami, you have became my home,' he continued.
'But, the journey doesn’t stop here… this off season, for the first time ever, The Cheetah is all the way turned up and locked in. Focused.
'The Cheetah don’t slow down. Ever. So to everyone wondering what’s next… just wait on it. The Cheetah will be back…Born Again.'
Hill appeared in more than 100 games for the Chiefs and helped them win Super Bowl LIV
The controversial wide receiver celebrates with Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes
After four seasons in Miami, the eight-time Pro Bowler will now hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his NFL career. Hill immediately updated his Instagram bio to say he was 'unemployed'.
Releasing the receiver now means the Dolphins will not have to pay an $11million guarantee next month and removes $36m in cash from next season's roster.
The Dolphins also decided to cut Bradley Chubb, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and James Daniels on Monday. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's future remains uncertain.
Hill, 31, has played 10 NFL seasons. He posted consecutive 1,700-yard receiving campaigns in his first two years with Miami, including a league-leading 1,799 yards in 2023.
Tyreek Hill