NEW YORK — The Big Apple or South Beach? In the end, it was no contest for Tyreek Hill.
During Hill’s introductory press conference with the Dolphins on Thursday, the three-time All-Pro wide receiver made it clear that his decision on his new NFL home wasn’t a tough one.
“How close was I? Who? The Jets?” Hill said. “Naw, man, look I don’t even want to get into all that. 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.”
Even though Hill ultimately picked the Dolphins, the Jets were extremely close to acquiring the veteran playmaker.
According to Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, the Chiefs and Jets had a deal in place on Monday to send Hill to New York.
The Jets worked on a contract extension for Hill. The Jets were willing to give him a deal comparable to the four-year, $120 million deal the Dolphins gave him, according to a source.
The Dolphins caught wind of the deal and stepped in and made an offer to the Chiefs for Hill, which left the ball in his court.
And Hill chose Miami.
In exchange for Hill, the Dolphins are sending a bunch of draft picks back to Kansas City (including first- and second-round picks this year).
Hill’s remarks should fuel the Jets-Dolphins rivalry. But the rivalry is just another way Gang Green has come up short in the last decade as the Dolphins have won 10 out of their last 12 games.
Overall, the Jets have made their team attractive to mid-level free agents, but to eventually snag the big-time talent, the Jets must start winning.
According to a source, the Jets were heavily interested in veteran defensive end Chandler Jones, who is a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro pass rusher with 107 career sacks. But Jones chose to go to the Las Vegas Raiders where winning looked more imminent.
So, while the Jets are heading in the right direction the next step is to put a winning product on the field. That will attract elite-level talent.
