The Chiefs are working behind the scenes to sign Tyreek Hill, but another NFL team won't make it easy for them

T yreek Hill 's potential return to the NFL is becoming one of the most intriguing storylines of the 2026 season, and the Kansas City Chiefs have naturally emerged as one of the teams connected with the veteran wide receiver.

The speculation surrounding Hill has accelerated over the past week after the former Chiefs star hinted that he was nearing a return.

He previously suggested it was “almost time” for him to “get back to work”, before another social media post about wanting some cold weather further fueled talk of a possible Kansas City reunion.

Now, Hill has provided another reason for interested teams to pay attention.

The 32-year-old recently shared workout footage showing him running routes, and the video offered an encouraging glimpse of the physical progress he has made since suffering a serious knee injury last season.

As Sun Sentinel reporter David Furones highlighted, one of the most notable aspects of the footage was Hill's quick-twitch movement and lateral ability.

The video shows the receiver working at the line of scrimmage, simulating a one-on-one matchup with a defensive back before breaking down the seam.

For Hill , those movements could be particularly significant.

He suffered a dislocated knee and multiple ligament injuries, including a torn ACL, during the 2025 season. After undergoing two surgeries, Hill spent much of 2026 working his way back toward football shape.

The Miami Dolphins ultimately released him in February after he failed his physical, making him a free agent.

Why Kansas City remains such an obvious destination

Hill's relationship with the Chiefs makes Kansas City an obvious team to monitor.

He spent the first six seasons of his NFL career with the franchise after being selected in the fifth round of the 2016 draft, developing into one of the league's most dangerous deep threats alongside Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

A return would also reunite Hill with head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy .

Bieniemy 's return is particularly notable. Kansas City brought him back as offensive coordinator in January 2026, marking his second stint in that role after previously serving as the team's offensive coordinator from 2018 through 2022.

During that original run, the Chiefs produced some of the NFL's most prolific offenses, with Hill playing a major role in the early Mahomes era.

There is therefore plenty of familiarity for Hill if he eventually chooses Kansas City. However, the Chiefs are not necessarily the only contender for his services.

Reuters reported that Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus , has indicated that the receiver is looking to join a contender, with the Green Bay Packers , Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens among the teams discussed alongside Kansas City. That creates a significant complication for the Chiefs .

The Bills , for example, already have Josh Allen throwing to a receiving group that includes DJ Moore, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer and Khalil Shakir . Green Bay likewise entered 2026 with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and first-round pick Matthew Golden among its receivers.

Hill's health will ultimately remain central to any decision. In July, he acknowledged that he still had significant work to do, explaining that he had “no power” in his injured left leg while continuing his rehabilitation. NFL.com also reported at the time that Hill had not provided a timetable for his return.

His agent later said Hill was not ready to sign before the season and emphasized that the priority was making sure he returned at his best rather than rushing the process.

The latest route-running footage suggests Hill is continuing to move forward, but it does not establish when he will be medically cleared or which team he will ultimately join.

For Kansas City, the opportunity is clear: a healthy Hill would bring elite speed, familiarity with Mahomes and Reid, and experience in the Chiefs' offensive system.

But with other contenders potentially interested, Kansas City may have to compete for the former All-Pro if Hill decides that his comeback is ready to begin.