Tyreek Hill’s receiving numbers have dropped significantly.
As the NFL’s leader in receiving yards for 2023, he has caught 23 passes for 286 yards in five games with the Miami Dolphins. This is less than half of what he achieved in his first five games last season, where he had 651 yards.
Several factors have contributed to this drop in production, such as injuries at quarterback and mistakes on offense. However, the All-Pro receiver doesn’t want to blame anyone.
“I’m here for this team,” Hill said Wednesday. “I’m here for my brothers all day long. If I’m open, I’m not going to go to the sideline and point it out. We’re just going to fix it when we watch film together on the offense the next day.”
As they prepare for their Week 7 game against the Indianapolis Colts, the Dolphins ranked last in the NFL for scoring offense and 26th in passing.
Before catching six passes for 69 yards in Week 5 against the Patriots, Hill had three consecutive games without reaching 50 yards. He hasn’t had a 100-yard receiving game since he had 130 yards and a touchdown in Miami’s season opener. In comparison, Hill had four 100-yard receiving games by Week 7 last year.
The Dolphins have been without Tua Tagovailoa, last year’s passing leader, since Week 2 due to a concussion. They have been using Tyler “Snoop” Huntley for the past two games. Skylar Thompson, Tagovailoa’s backup, started in Week 3 but injured his ribs and hasn’t played since.
Huntley has acknowledged that he needs to develop chemistry with Miami’s fast receivers, including Hill, whom he missed on several deep throws during his debut with the Dolphins, a 31-12 loss to the Titans in Week 4.
Huntley mentioned that he used the team’s recent bye week to work on his footwork and study the details of coach Mike McDaniel’s playbook. The former Ravens quarterback even asked some of his receivers to come back from their vacations early to practice together.
“I didn’t really want to bother too many guys,” Huntley said. “The guys that were able to come back earlier were able to catch a few passes, and it was good.”
Huntley’s teammates have supported him, praising his communication, effort in learning the offense, and how he handles mistakes.
“For being here for only a short time, he really came in and learned the offense,” said receiver Jaylen Waddle. “Not only did he learn the offense, but he also had to get to know new receivers and different players.
It’s tough coming in, especially since we’ve played some really good teams while he’s been here. So just getting him used to throwing to us, timing, all these motions — he’s doing good, man, doing great.”
The expectation is that Tagovailoa will play again this season, but Hill has said he feels confident no matter who is the quarterback.
Hill also mentioned that he doesn’t feel the need to criticize his quarterback for missed chances on the field. “I just tell him, ‘Hey man, let’s go. Keep going,’” Hill said. “That’s my mentality. I’ve always been like that.
My parents raised me in a different shape and form. I know a lot of people try to compare me to (Antonio Brown) all the time, but I’ll never run off the field and ruin my paycheck like that. I’m smart at the end of the day. I’ve got kids to take care of.”
Hill added, “At the end of the day, the quarterback is almost like a kicker. If you say something to him, then you’re in his head and he’s like, ‘Oh, I’ve got to find my guy.’ I don’t have to do that. When it’s time, it’s time.”
When asked if he feels he’s playing at the same level as he did before, Hill smiled. “Cheetah’s going to be Cheetah,” he said.
