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https://theathletic.com/3206167/2022...ns-next-in-kc/

Non-paywall version: https://archive.ph/XlbEi

Why friction between Chiefs, Tyreek Hill led to his trade to the Dolphins and what happens next in KC

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 16: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs catches the ball for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
By Nate Taylor 11m ago 1
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — He wanted to be the NFL’s highest-paid receiver.

For weeks, this was Tyreek Hill’s message to the Chiefs as he negotiated for a contract extension. The Chiefs countered with a lucrative offer that would have made Hill one of the league’s highest-paid receivers, perhaps as high as a top-five earner at his position. For weeks, neither party was willing to budge.

In the NFL, one market-setting deal at a premium position often leads to another. Last week, the Green Bay Packers traded star receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders — the Chiefs’ archrival — in exchange for their first- and second-round picks (Nos. 22 and 53) in this year’s draft. Adams, upon his arrival earlier this week, signed a five-year, $140 million contract with the Raiders, which includes $66 million guaranteed.

On Monday, Hill, according to multiple sources, told the Chiefs that he wanted to top Adams’ deal. As the friction between Hill and the Chiefs grew, the team decided to make a difficult business decision, one that created yet another seismic shift in the landscape of the AFC in a month full of such transactions: Hill was granted permission to seek a blockbuster trade.

When the offseason began, both Hill and the Chiefs were confident they could agree on a contract extension. The Chiefs knew such a deal, especially earlier this month when the NFL’s free agency period began, would create more salary cap space to help the team acquire more talented veterans. The team was also hoping to persuade Hill into making a decision that was similar to what Kelce did with his last contract extension. In August 2020, Kelce, at age 29, signed a four-year contract extension with the Chiefs worth $57.25 million, including $28 million guaranteed. Kelce’s deal didn’t make him the highest-paid tight end in the league (San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle signed a five-year contract extension with a maximum value of $75 million, including $30 million guaranteed).

Hill, though, realized this was likely the best opportunity in his career, at age 28, to maximize his earning potential. He informed the Chiefs, according to a source, that he wouldn’t play for them in the upcoming season without a new deal.

So Hill said he was going to hold out.