Wide receiver Tyreek Hill has revealed his reason for choosing the Miami Dolphins over the New York Jets. Hill told reporters Monday ahead of the Week 5 game between the Dolphins and Jets that his decision was related to state taxes.
“It’s just those state taxes, man. I realized I had to make a grown-up decision,” Hill said. “And now here I am in the great city of Miami, you know, great weather, great people, beautiful people, I feel like. So, here I am.”
After Hill was set to become a free agent by the Kansas City Chiefs, the Dolphins and Jets made offers to the Chiefs to sign the star wide receiver.
Both teams were willing to pay Hill what he requested. The Chiefs were pleased with their trade offers, but it was up to Hill to decide where he went, and he chose the Dolphins.
The Dolphins and Jets both offered Hill the contract he desired, but only one offered him more money. His decision to move to Miami was due to the fact that Florida is one of the nine states in the United States with no state income tax, whereas New York is one of the states with the highest state income taxes. It means eight percent of Hill’s income would go to New York state if he signed with the Jets.
.@cheetah said he had to make a "grown up decision" 😂💯 pic.twitter.com/1rVs9igWur
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 3, 2022
Hill contradicts himself
On the other hand, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported in March that Hill joined the Dolphins instead of the Jets because that is where he calls home.
“How close was I? Who? The Jets,” Hill said. “I knew I was going to pick Miami no matter what because I’m basically from here, I’m here all the time. This is home for me, for us.”
The Jets were interested in Hill because of his mind-blowing speed. Then, they offered the Chiefs the No. 35, 38, and 69 picks in the 2022 Draft in exchange for Hill and the No. 103 pick.
Millions of dollars saved, smart choice.
— DarthTuvok (@darthtuvok) October 4, 2022
Dolphins’ deals with Chiefs
Hill played alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes at Kansas City. The Chiefs sold Hill to Miami earlier this season. Reportedly, the team was unwilling to match Hill the $30 million he requested.
The six-time Pro Bowler eventually agreed to a four-year with the Dolphins, a $120 million contract with a total guarantee of $72.2 million. The blockbuster deal made him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.
Smart man, income taxes can eat a bullet
— DisgruntledTaco (@DislocatedTaco) October 3, 2022
In exchange for Hill, Kansas City also received first, second and fourth-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft and fourth and sixth-round selections in 2023.
In 73 starts with the Chiefs, Hill had 479 receptions for 6,630 yards, 719 yards on the ground, six rushing touchdowns, and 56 touchdowns. He caught 111 passes for 1,239 yards and nine touchdowns in the 2021 NFL season.
The Dolphins will face the Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Miami is currently 3-1 in the AFC East, while New York is 2-2. The 28-year-old wide receiver leads the league in receiving yards with 31 catches for 477 yards and two touchdowns.
Miami will, however, be without their star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered a concussion in Thursday night’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, just a day after many believed he had suffered one in Week 2 during the game against the Buffalo Bills.
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