In what would be one of the most seismic moves of the NFL offseason, the San Francisco 49ers are reportedly making a serious push to acquire All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill from the Miami Dolphins. Sources around the league indicate that San Francisco is not only interested in trading for the electrifying playmaker but is also willing to meet the hefty asking price in both trade compensation and a potential contract restructuring that would follow.
The 49ers’ pursuit of Hill comes amid growing speculation that Miami may be open to fielding offers for the 30-year-old wideout, whose massive cap hit and long-term financial implications are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. Hill, who signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Dolphins after being traded from Kansas City in 2022, is set to count over $30 million against the cap in 2025. For a Dolphins franchise balancing its offensive explosiveness with salary cap discipline, a trade is no longer off the table — and the 49ers appear ready to pounce.
San Francisco, already one of the league’s most dynamic and creative offenses under head coach Kyle Shanahan, sees Hill as the final piece to a championship puzzle that has eluded them despite multiple deep playoff runs. The 49ers fell just short in Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs, and with quarterback Brock Purdy now firmly entrenched as the starter and still on his rookie deal, the team has a rare window to go all-in without being burdened by an expensive quarterback contract.
Hill’s addition would create a near-impossible dilemma for opposing defenses. Paired with Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey, Hill would elevate the 49ers’ offense from dangerous to potentially unstoppable. Shanahan is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s most inventive play callers, and the thought of him deploying Hill — with his unmatched speed, open-field creativity, and deep-ball threat — in motion-heavy, misdirection-laden schemes is a terrifying prospect for any defensive coordinator.
The 49ers’ front office, led by general manager John Lynch, has never been shy about aggressive moves. In recent years, San Francisco has made splash trades for McCaffrey, Trent Williams, and others, showing a clear organizational philosophy: if a superstar becomes available and fits the scheme, go get him. With Hill, the team would be acquiring a player who has six 1,000-yard seasons, four All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl pedigree already under his belt. His presence on the field changes coverages, demands constant safety attention, and stretches defenses vertically in ways few others can replicate.
For the Dolphins, parting ways with Hill would not be easy. He has been instrumental in the resurgence of Miami’s offense under head coach Mike McDaniel, helping quarterback Tua Tagovailoa emerge as a legitimate starter and energizing the fanbase with his highlight-reel plays and game-breaking speed. Hill caught 119 passes for 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023 and was on pace for a 2,000-yard season before a late-season injury slowed him down. However, the Dolphins are nearing the financial cliff of a roster built on expensive veterans, and decisions loom for multiple players, including Tua, Jaylen Waddle, and key defenders like Christian Wilkins.
Trading Hill would free up much-needed cap space and potentially return a treasure trove of draft capital that Miami could use to reset its roster or fill pressing needs on the offensive line and defense. While fans would understandably be upset at losing one of the most exciting players in franchise history, the long-term logic of the move could hold weight — especially if Hill’s value is at its peak.
San Francisco, according to league insiders, is prepared to offer a package that includes multiple premium draft picks, likely centered around a first-rounder and additional future assets. The team may also be willing to move one of its own veteran players to balance cap numbers. Reports suggest the 49ers have already begun contract restructuring discussions with Hill’s representatives to potentially spread out his remaining guarantees and ease his 2025 cap hit in anticipation of a trade.
One of the key factors enabling this pursuit is Purdy’s contract. As a seventh-round pick, Purdy is making less than $1 million per year, giving the 49ers flexibility to pay stars at other positions — something that becomes nearly impossible once a quarterback signs a massive extension. That flexibility won’t last forever; the 49ers know they need to strike now while their roster is deep, their QB is cheap, and the NFC remains relatively open.
A trade for Hill would instantly shift the balance of power in the NFL. The 49ers, already the NFC’s top team in many eyes, would become the overwhelming favorites, fielding a skill-position group arguably unmatched in league history. Meanwhile, the AFC — already a conference of quarterback-heavy teams — would see one of its premier weapons switch conferences, potentially impacting the pecking order among playoff contenders.
At this stage, nothing is finalized. Miami has not publicly confirmed it is shopping Hill, and both teams are likely weighing public perception as much as internal valuations. Still, the noise around this potential deal is growing louder, and league executives are beginning to treat it as a serious possibility.
If the 49ers land Tyreek Hill, it would mark one of the boldest and most ambitious moves of the Lynch-Shanahan era — a clear message that San Francisco is not content with just being close. They want a ring. And they’re willing to pay the price to get it.
