The Kansas City Chiefs won by a score of 30-27 in Week 4, but the team didn't walk away from the victory super thrilled. The Chiefs lost both Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton to serious injuries. Rice hurt his hamstring and could be sidelined for the foreseeable future, and Thornton's dislocated ankle has a chance of being season-ending.
The Chiefs' passing attack was finally starting to look as elite as it was during Patrick Mahomes' earlier seasons, just for two of the best pass-catchers to go down with injuries that leave the team thin at the receiving corps. Now, the Chiefs will have to scour the free agent and trade markets to try and add depth.
Of course, the first name that will come up is Tyreek Hill. Arguably the best deep threat in NFL history started his career in Kansas City, and the Chiefs had rumored interest in a reunion even before the Rice and Thornton news. Last season, Hill dislocated his kneecap and tore multiple ligaments, including his ACL. One of the most gruesome injuries in recent memory resulted in the Miami Dolphins releasing the eight-time Pro Bowler and drastically altered Hill's career trajectory.
The injury was likely just about as close to a career-ender without actually forcing a player into retirement as you could get, and there is a great chance that Hill won't be close to the same player upon his return. The West Alabama product is nearing said return, though, as reports suggest he is hearing out deals from multiple teams. A return back home makes too much sense, though, and despite the concerns over Hill's injury, the Chiefs need to bring back their old superstar.
The Chiefs need to re-sign Tyreek Hill
Hill is, obviously, best known for his speed. He was long the fastest player in the NFL, which is why he broke out for so many big plays, whether it was Mahomes or Tua Tagovailoa passing to him. Of course, the more dominant of those duos was with Mahomes, who has a cannon for an arm and is a perennial MVP threat. Tagovailoa, meanwhile, often under-threw the speed demon.
The speed that made Hill such a threat will surely never be the same. Not only is Hill just about a year removed from his gruesome injury, but as a 32-year-old, regression was already coming his way. With that said, it is worth noting that Hill was always so much more than just a burner, despite having the “deep threat” label attached to his name.
He became arguably the best receiver in football because he also had sure hands and impressive route running. Without Rice and Thornton, the Chiefs are down to Xavier Worthy, Cyrus Allen, Jalen Royals, and Travis Kelce as Mahomes' primary targets. Kelce, even at age 37, is still a great tight end, but he doesn't play the same position that Kansas City is now thin at. Worthy, like Hill, was drafted to be an elite speedster, but he hasn't lived up to his first-round billing yet. He has been utilized as more of a gadget option thus far, but the threat of Hill on the roster could open up the deep game for Worthy.
Allen had an incredible training camp, but the rookie has yet to catch a ball in the regular season. Royals only has three more catches than that this year. If Hill is at least football-ready, even if he isn't superstar-ready, he'd help the team's depth in a big way. Of course, the potential for so much more is still there with a five-time First-team All-Pro, too.
Mahomes has confidence in and chemistry with his former teammate. The quarterback just came off of a major leg injury of his own, so if anyone can inspire Hill, it would be the two-time MVP. Andy Reid's play-calling expertise would help Hill in a big way, too, even if he isn't moving like he once did. The Chiefs are 4-0, and they need to ensure injuries don't prevent the dynasty from extending its resume. As of now, bringing back Hill is the best way to extend the winning ways that the receiver was accustomed to during his previous stint in Kansas City.