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The Kansas City Chiefs have begun negotiations with wide receiver Tyreek Hill, according to a new report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
While the #Chiefs plot moves for the 2019 season and beyond, they do have some big deals coming: They have begun negotiations with star WR Tyreek Hill on what’ll be a record-setting deal, source said. Along with tagging Dee Ford, shopping Justin Houston, that’s a consideration.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2019
Rapoport uses the words “record-setting” when describing the deal for Hill in his report, leading one to believe Hill is set to earn a contract in the range of Odell Beckham Jr.’s 2018 contract with the New York Giants that made him the game’s highest-paid receiver.
Beckham Jr. and the Giants agreed to a five-year deal worth $95 million ($65 million guaranteed) last offseason.
Tyreek Hill’s baseline valuation comes in at 5 years, $95M, with $42M guaranteed at signing. It’s very possible those numbers push past $100M, & $45M when it’s all said and done. The #Chiefs offensive extension spree begins this spring.https://t.co/RLbmcBw2Di
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 5, 2019
Hill is entering the final year of his rookie deal, which marks the first opportunity for the Chiefs to negotiate with the two-time first-team All-Pro.
Hill set the Chiefs’ single-season franchise record for receiving in 2018 with 1,479 yards, catching 87 passes. Hill had 13 total touchdowns in 2018 and, including punt and kick returns, has 34 touchdowns for Kansas City over the course of his three-year NFL career.
The fact that the deal will be “record-setting,” as described by Rapoport, is part of the reason the Chiefs will almost assuredly part ways with Justin Houston and his $21.1 million cap number, as well as potentially (more on that here) trade Dee Ford, this offseason.
The Chiefs will likely extend defensive lineman Chris Jones in addition to Hill, with Patrick Mahomes’ massive contract extension looming in the 2020 offseason.