One of the biggest storylines surrounding the LA Chargers entering the 2024 season was the team's lack of established weapons after getting rid of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The Chargers were able to overcome this adversity, though, and cruised to an 11-6 record and a playoff berth.
Making the playoffs does not change the fact the Chargers need to add wide receiver help in the offseason to level up from playoff contender to Super Bowl favorite. A Keenan Allen reunion could be in the cards and now, one of the league's most prominent superstar wide receivers could be in play as well.
Tyreek Hill made it very obvious after the Miami Dolphins missed the playoffs that he does not want to be on the Dolphins in 2025. After a trade request this public, it would be shocking if Hill isn't traded to another team during the offseason.
Hill made waves several weeks ago when he shared a picture citing the Chargers as co-favorites to trade for him in the offseason, prompting many to believe he was telling the world he wants to be a Charger. With his now-public trade demands, there are many Chargers fans who think it might just be a matter of time.
As noteworthy as this would be, it wouldn't necessarily be a good move for the Chargers.
Chargers should stay away from Tyreek Hill even after his public trade request to the Dolphins
Hill is a big name and will go down as one of the best receivers of this generation. On paper, Hill is everything the Chargers need as Justin Herbert could get the most out of his freakish athleticism with the rocket attached to his right shoulder.
However, the idea of Hill and the reality of Hill in the year 2025 are not aligned. The 30-year-old is coming off his worst season production-wise since his rookie year and is reaching the point of his career where regression starts to kick in.
While there are exceptions, receivers typically tend to regress when they cross the age of 30. Speedsters like Hill, who rely so heavily on their field-tilting speed, tend to regress harder as the athleticism gap starts to shrink.
It would be one thing if the cost for Hill was minuscule. An Allen reunion is intriguing only because he would theoretically be available on a discount. That is not the case with Hill, who would cost draft capital and salary-cap space to bring in.
The Dolphins probably can't get a first-round pick for Hill because of his age but they likely would get a second and more draft capital. Hill's cap hit in 2025 is $27.698 million while his cap hit in 2026 is $51.898 million. His cap hit is only growing as he theoretically regresses as a pro.
As tantalizing as Hill is, the Chargers have to avoid the trap of paying a premium for past performance. The Chargers got in trouble doing this in the past and the new regime needs to learn from those past mistakes and not repeat them.
If the Chargers are going to spend big on a wide receiver they would be much better off opening the checkbook for Tee Higgins or swinging a trade for Garrett Wilson if that ever becomes a possibility.
Trading for Hill would be a move that would garner headlines, but probably would not end up how the Chargers would hope.