There have been eight months of lead-up to the current rumors swirling around the Kansas City Chiefs and five-time All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
When Hill was released in mid-February while recovering from a severe knee injury, many in Chiefs Kingdom immediately thought to re-sign him, once he’s fully healthy or before.
Now, it feels inevitable that the Cheetah will be returning to Kansas City.
After the Chiefs’ 30-27 win over the Las Vegas Raiders that featured injuries to wide receivers Tyquan
Thornton (ankle) and Rashee Rice (hamstring), Michael Silver of The Athletic reported that the team is “very interested” in signing Hill. Silver writes the team was “already interested in a reunion before Sunday.”
Then, Monday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared a developing story about Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus expressing plans to “begin negotiating a deal” for Hill on Monday. Schefter’s Twitter post mentioned “multiple teams,” but the Chiefs were the only team named.
Through Schefter, Rosenhaus relayed a timeline to the public.
“I would anticipate Tyreek potentially signing with a team over the next few days,”
During “The Aftermath,” an NFL Network show airing Monday, insider Ian Rapoport said, “it would be a surprise if he does not sign back with the Kansas City Chiefs.”
Based on these high-level sources, Chiefs fans should expect Hill back in Kansas City.
But when will he actually be able to don the red and gold again?
Silver mentioned that Hill is “targeting a November return” to the field. The Chiefs are on a bye this week, but the team will play the Los Angeles Chargers and then face the Seattle Seahawks on the road before November begins with a battle against the Denver Broncos at Mile High on the first of the month.
With that in mind, could another reunion be in play for Kansas City? The expectation is that Thornton will be placed on the Reserve/Injured list, though that doesn’t mean his season is over, and Rice could be back quickly from his hamstring, based on insight from Rapoport. The team could feel the need for immediate help in the receiving room.
Former Chiefs wideout Justin Watson is a free agent and preceded Thornton as a downfield target in the Chiefs’ offense, although Thornton clearly upgraded the position from 2024 to 2025. Juju Smith-Schuster is also available after the New York Giants cut him during the preseason. Mecole Hardman was also released before the regular season began after a stint with the Buffalo Bills.
It feels like the Chiefs and Hill will reunite soon — so now the question is: will there be two comebacks to Kansas City over the bye week?
Bonus question: will rookie running back Emmett Johnson surrender the No. 10 jersey?
