Terron Armstead had just finished his introductory press conference at Miami Dolphins facilities on Thursday, and it was time for Tyreek Hill to take the podium.
Only one problem: Hill had to go to the bathroom. Bad.
He rushed out of the room. But no worries. Like he is on the field, Hill was quick. He came back relieved, ready to answer questions and let his personality shine to the Miami media and fan base.
“I feel a whole lot better,” Hill said as he returned to laughs from the room. “I just didn’t want to get up and be rude [when Armstead was speaking]. I’m like, ‘Yo, I do not know what to do right now.’”
Then, the Dolphins’ newest star, of the likes the franchise probably hasn’t seen on offense since running back Ricky Williams or Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, lit the room.
The highlights from Hill’s time with the microphone set the tone right away for Hill to accomplish what he said new Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told him he wanted from him: “Just be you.”
And he was. For one, there was a jab at his new AFC East rival, the New York Jets, whom he almost ended up with as the other finalist in trade talks with the Kansas City Chiefs for the six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and three-time All-Pro selection.
Asked how close he was to picking the Jets, as the trade was contingent on who Hill would sign a long-term extension with, Hill’s reply downplayed how he would even consider them: “Who? The Jets? … I knew I was going to pick Miami no matter what.”
Hill is immediately challenging new teammate in the Dolphins’ receiving corps, Jaylen Waddle, to a race: “Wherever I go, the Cheetah, he always got to prove he’s the fastest on the team. No matter what. I mean that.”
He accused agent Drew Rosenhaus of trying to kiss him in the mouth during the process of securing the trade and four-year, $120 million contract extension with the Dolphins that includes $72.2 million guaranteed. It was an allegation Rosenhaus refuted from his seat in the room.
Hill referenced a song by rapper Gunna in response to a question about feeling any pressure in his new digs: “I don’t blink, dog. I don’t believe in pressure, dog. I make the pressure. I’m Pushin’ P, baby.”
And he said his celebration over the transaction will include volleyball and Hennessy on the beach.
But there was football to talk about, too. Hill and Armstead, the three-time Pro Bowl left tackle, are both excited about uniting with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and helping fix the Dolphins’ offense.
“I’m just excited to see him ball, be successful,” Armstead said. “I know Mike has a vision for him. Me watching him, he’s as accurate and precise as anyone I’ve ever seen. I’m excited to work for him, protect him.”
Hill backed up the accuracy sentiment for Tagovailoa.
“His ball placement, getting us the ball in space, perfect placement and us just utilizing our speed, utilizing our best asset, and that’s just being dangerous,” he said.
Armstead hasn’t met Tagovailoa yet, but he did get to meet Marino while he was on his visit to Miami’s facilities this week. On Thursday, Armstead sported a Marino jersey to his press conference.
“Why not? He’s a legend. I’m a real big fan of the sport, of the game. Always pay respects to the legends, the Hall of Famers.”
Hill is most excited to get to work with Waddle and form what should be the NFL’s fastest receiving tandem, coupled with possibly the league’s fastest running back in the also-newly acquired Raheem Mostert.
“He’s a fiery competitor, just like I am,” Hill said of Waddle, who has previously received Hill comparisons. “He’s just like I was coming out. A young guy who wants to compete, who loves the game and just wants to get better.”
Rosenhaus, after clearing up the kissing comment, revealed more information about the deal.
He said the Jets first got framework of a trade done, and Hill considered their extension offer. Rosenhaus told other teams they were close on a deal with the Jets, and the Dolphins’ deal was negotiated overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.
“We felt, in analyzing it, that Tyreek deserved to become the highest-paid receiver,” Rosenhaus said, jumping at the opportunity created by the Raiders’ contract with Davante Adams.
Rosenhaus said the difference between the Jets’ and Dolphins’ offers were “millions of dollars,” and no state income tax also played a part.
Asked how difficult it was to leave Kansas City, Hill said, “It’s tough, but somebody comes to you with a lot of money, it changes.”
Armstead said keys for him deciding on the Dolphins in free agency, after nine seasons with the New Orleans Saints were reuniting with Miami offensive coordinator Frank Smith, whom Armstead had as assistant offensive line coach as a rookie, and getting into McDaniel’s offense that will feature the outside-zone running scheme.
Hill’s message to Dolphins fans: “Gear up. It’s going to be a fast season, but it’s going to be a fun season.”
Armstead backed up that notion.
“We’re going to try to turn these Sundays into a track meet,” he said. “But a physical track meet. Let’s not overshadow that at all.”
