Veteran wide receiver Tyreek Hill has remained unsigned since being released by the Miami Dolphins on Feb. 16 to create $22.8 million in cap space.
It appears that may soon change, as Hill hinted at a potential NFL return in a social media post on Sept. 28.
"It’s almost time to get off the couch and get to work," Hill wrote in a post to X, which also featured a face holding back tears emoji.
Hill's agent Drew Rosenhaus made it clear during a preseason interview on "The Pat McAfee Show" that Hill would be targeting an in-season return rather than inking a contract with a team before the season started.
That plan was part of ensuring that Hill continued to be measured in his return from a left
knee dislocation and multiple ligament tears that left him with "no power" in his injured knee, as the receiver communicated during the summer.
"I am not pressuring Tyreek, nor am I setting a timeline for him," Rosenhaus explained. "I think that what I've said to Tyreek is, 'Take your time. It's not when you come back, it's how you come back. We want you to come back when you feel your best.' There's no sense of urgency timing-wise."
But with Hill's timeline to return evidently drawing nigh, his social media post predictably ignited a maelstrom of speculation about where he could land.
What are the best fits for Hill? Here's a look at his top potential landing spots, while keeping in mind that Rosenhaus has before expressed the 32-year-old would like to play for a contender.
Tyreek Hill landing spots
Kansas City Chiefs
Hill returning to the Chiefs would make a lot of sense for both parties. Kansas City is off to a 3-0 start in 2026, but its receiver depth beyond Rashee Rice is thin. Hill could come aboard, serve as a mentor to 2024 first-round pick Xavier Worthy and add another threat who has built-in chemistry with Patrick Mahomes.
Hill averaged 97.2 receptions for 1375.3 yards and 12.2 touchdowns per 17 games played across his four seasons with Mahomes as his primary passer. Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy should be intrigued by the prospect of bringing him back, even if the 32-year-old's speed seems unlikely to be the same as it was during his peak years in Kansas City.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are currently undefeated despite having Ricky Pearsall, De'Zhaun Stribling, Christian Kirk and Demarcus Robinson on IR. The team also saw Mike Evans suffer a rib injury in Week 3 while Brandon Aiyuk remains on the team's reserve/left squad list, so San Francisco is extremely thin at receiver.
As such, taking a gamble on Hill would be sensible. He could provide veteran depth as the 49ers navigate injuries and would also complement the bigger-bodied Evans and Deebo Samuel well.
Los Angeles Rams
If Hill wants to look elsewhere in the NFC West, the Rams could be a good fit for him. Los Angeles is thin beyond Davante Adams and Puka Nacua, the latter of whom is dealing with a groin/hip injury, and the attention drawn by those two could help Hill to shake open frequently.
The only current hang-up with the Rams is that they are 1-2. Still, they should be viewed as a contender given that they went all-in to support Matthew Stafford during the offseason. They've simply had a tough schedule and have dealt with injuries to Nacua and Myles Garrett, but the preseason Super Bowl favorite should eventually emerge as one of the NFL's most complete teams.
Baltimore Ravens
Zay Flowers has been elite across the two games he has thus far played during the 2026 NFL season. However, the Ravens still lack a proven, No. 2 receiver across from him, and rookie Ja'Kobi Lane's wrist injury may prevent him from rising into that role in 2026.
Hill and Flowers would be one of the smaller-sized receiver combinations in the NFL, but it worked well for the Dolphins when Hill was paired with Jaylen Waddle. And adding another potential speed element to an offense that already includes the explosive Lamar Jackson would certainly be intriguing.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills added DJ Moore during the 2026 NFL offseason to be their No. 1 receiver. That has paid off through three weeks, as the veteran quickly developed chemistry with Josh Allen and has elevated Buffalo's offense to being perhaps the best in the league.
Buffalo could be content to roll with Moore, veteran slot-man Khalil Shakir and 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman, who is off to a better start in 2026 than his previous seasons. Even so, an opportunity to add Hill – whose skill set differs from those top three options – to the fold could be too good for Joe Brady and Brandon Beane to pass up as they look to get the Bills their first Super Bowl win.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tyreek Hill landing spots as free agent WR hints at NFL return
