Tua Tagovailoa Discusses Ongoing Trust-Building with Tyreek Hill

Tyreek Hill's efforts to mend relationships within the Miami Dolphins locker room are still underway. The All-Pro wide receiver's decision to exit the 2024 regular-season finale and his subsequent remarks about wanting to play elsewhere have left a mark.

After the first day of training camp, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa acknowledged that moving past Hill's statements is not a swift endeavor. "I would say we're still continuing to do that," he remarked, emphasizing that the rebuilding process involves more than just him. "It's not just with me; it's with a lot of the guys. I'm not the only one that heard that. A lot of people that follow football... everyone has seen that."

Following a disappointing loss to the New York Jets, which marked Hill's first playoff miss, he expressed his openness to exploring opportunities with other teams. This prompted a wave of reactions from teammates and fans alike.

In response to the backlash, Hill has since retracted his comments and issued apologies to Tagovailoa and his fellow players, attributing his outburst to frustrations stemming from a lackluster season. "When you say something like that, you don't just come back from that with a 'Hey, my bad,'" Tagovailoa stated. "You've got to work that relationship up. It's still a work in progress, not just for me, but for everybody."

Hill reflected on his actions during a recent press conference, stating that he has taken time for self-reflection and aims to improve as a leader this offseason. "I've matured," he noted, indicating a commitment to fostering better team dynamics moving forward.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel commented on Hill's growth, noting, "You can see thus far, the three months that the team has been working at it, that it's a surprise to no one in the building that he's saying that publicly." He praised Hill's daily approach, highlighting the importance of accountability and focus.

In other team news, All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick returned to the Dolphins after being traded from Pittsburgh in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith. Fitzpatrick, who was originally drafted by Miami in 2018, had previously requested a trade due to dissatisfaction with his role under former head coach Brian Flores.

McDaniel confirmed that the organization ensured Fitzpatrick was on board with the move before finalizing the trade. Although Fitzpatrick participated in practice on Wednesday, he has yet to address reporters since the trade announcement.

"As you enter into negotiations of any sort of trade, you try to identify first and foremost that the player you're receiving wants to play football for you," McDaniel explained. He expressed enthusiasm about Fitzpatrick's return, citing his skill set as a perfect match for the team's needs.

In injury news, second-year offensive lineman Bayron Matos sustained an undisclosed injury during practice and was transported via helicopter to a hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition. The Dolphins have not disclosed further details regarding his injury.

Additionally, veteran cornerback Artie Burns suffered a leg injury early in practice after colliding with another player and was seen leaving on crutches.