Could Tyreek Hill, fresh off a devastating injury and facing a cap crunch, be a Saint? Loomis' financial wizardry faces its ultimate test.
The NFL world was rocked on Monday, February 16, 2026, when the Miami Dolphins officially released superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
This move by Miami will make him an unrestricted free agent. This saves the Dolphins $22.8 million in cap space ahead of the 2026 season, following Hill's season-ending September 2025 knee injury and declining production.
For the New Orleans Saints, a franchise that treats the salary cap like a suggestion rather than a rule, the Pavlovian response is already kicking in.
But as the "Who Dat" Nation begins dreaming of "Cheetah" in black and gold, we have to ask the sobering question, Can Mickey Loomis actually find the money for a 31-year-old speedster coming off a catastrophic knee injury?
Now I know the idea is far fetched but consider the 2026 NFL season if Hill joins the Saints. We would get a veteran receiver with a chip on his shoulder bolstering superstar stats that would to showcase coming off of a gruesome injury. Let’s take a look at the possibility.
The Financial Wizardry Required
The Saints are entering the 2026 offseason in a familiar position. They are deep in the red. Current projections have New Orleans roughly $41.7 million over the cap. The Saints' 2026 cap situation is considered much healthier than in previous years, allowing them to restructure deals rather than relying heavily on forced cuts to get under the limit.
To even entertain a conversation with Hill’s agent, the Saints would need to perform their annual ritual of "kicking the can" down the road.
Restructures are Mandatory: Players like Carl Granderson, Chase Young, and Juwan Johnson would likely need their contracts reworked immediately.
The "Incentive" Loophole: Because Hill missed most of 2025 with a dislocated knee and torn ACL, his 2026 contract could be loaded with "Not Likely to Be Earned" (NLTBE) incentives. These wouldn't hit the Saints' cap until 2027, giving the team a year of "free" production, assuming he produces.
Why the Saints Might Say "Yes"
Despite the financial hurdles, the fit is tantalizing. New Orleans is desperate for a dynamic playmaker to pair with Chris Olave. With the No. 8 overall pick in the upcoming draft, the Saints are looking for a spark. Adding Hill, even at 85% of his former self, would instantly transform Kellen Moore’s offense and take the pressure off young quarterback Tyler Shough. Bringing Hill into the Saints scheme, despite focusing on going younger, could be the veteran wide receiver energy New Orleans needs.
The Elephant in the Room: The Injury
This isn't the same Tyreek Hill who put up 1,700 yards in back-to-back seasons. He turns 32 in March and is rehabbing a dislocated knee and torn ACL suffered just five months ago.
If Hill loses that half-step of "Cheetah" speed, his value plummet. For a team like the Saints, who are already tight on resources, signing him is a massive gamble on a "boom-or-bust" bet. But if the gamble pays off, the payout in the win column could be big.
My Two Pennies: Where There's a Loomis, There's a Way
Is it possible? Yes. Mickey Loomis has proven time and again that "cap hell" is a myth for the Saints. If they believe Hill’s medicals check out, they will find a way to fit a one-year, "prove-it" deal into the books.
However, the real question isn't if they can find the money, but should they? In a year where the roster needs a youth movement and defensive reinforcements for aging legends like Cam Jordan, spending the remaining "cap magic" on a 32-year-old receiver with a rebuilt knee feels like a gamble that could haunt the franchise for years.