Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio revealed Thursday that he had been sitting on a bit of news involving the Pittsburgh Steelers. The news was two-fold — the Steelers were once interested in Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
However, that interest no longer exists, according to Florio.
I will share one little nugget as it relates to teams interested in Tyreek Hill. I heard this the other day and haven’t had a chance to mention it. My understand is the Steelers were [interested], but they’re not anymore because Mike Tomlin is concerned about what happens with this personal conduct policy investigation,” Florio said on Thursday’s Pro Football Talk podcast, via Steelers Depot’s Troy Montgomery.
“Is there going to be a photo; is there going to be video? Is there going to be something that Tyreek Hill gets suspended for?
“They don’t want to trade for him and then lose him, which is not an unreasonable position for a team to take because why do you want to give up a third-round pick next year and have a guy come in and you raise up everyone’s hopes and then he’s gone in November?”
The suspension Hill could receive that Florio was referring to stems from off-the-field controversial that involves the receiver and his estranged wife. ESPN reported on September 11 the NFL was investigating Hill on domestic violence allegations.
Could Tyreek Hill Face Suspension From the NFL?
There’s actually recent precedent for the Steelers bringing in a player who could face a suspension. Last year, the organization signed cornerback Cameron Sutton a couple months after Hillsborough County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for Sutton’s arrest on suspicion of domestic violence.
The Detroit Lions released Sutton on March 21 as a result of the arrest.
The Steelers‘ decision to sign Sutton remains controversial. But that situation was quite a bit different than trading for Hill would be.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters the team felt comfortable signing Sutton because of their previous relationship. The cornerback played for the Steelers from 2017-22.
It also cost the team virtually nothing to take a risk on Sutton.
Hill has no previous relationship with Pittsburgh, and it could cost the Steelers a third-rounder to trade for the receiver. Just about every NFL team is going to balk at the idea of giving up that draft capital for a receiver who could miss games because of domestic violence allegations.
“Hill’s estranged wife, Keeta Vaccaro, alleged eight separate incidents of domestic violence in filings related to the couple’s divorce case, according to documents obtained by TMZ,” wrote ESPN’s staff.
“According to TMZ, Vaccaro alleges that the first incident occurred in January 2024, about two months after her marriage to Hill.
“Hill has not been criminally charged, and it was unclear as of Thursday morning whether law enforcement was investigating Vaccaro’s allegations.
“Vaccaro filed a petition for divorce on April 8, one day after police reported a domestic dispute between her and Hill.”
Other Reasons the Steelers Shouldn’t Trade for Hill
Florio was purely speculating when suggesting photos or video of the alleged victim in Hill’s domestic violence case could surface. While that’s always a possibility, there’s been no update that those things are likely to become public.
But even putting aside the domestic violence allegations, there are reasons the Steelers shouldn’t trade for Hill.
The receiver is coming off arguably the worst season of his NFL career in 2024. He’s also been controversial in Miami’s locker room. After the 2024 season finale, Hill was so frustrated about missing the playoffs he said “I’m out” in Miami.
Florio isn’t the first insider to report the Steelers are not going to acquire Hill. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero essentially reported the same thing on September 12.
While Pelissero mentioned the domestic violence allegation, he focused on the potential negative locker room impact Hill could have in Pittsburgh as the reason why the Steelers won’t acquire him.
“I don’t see a team like the Steelers bringing in Tyreek Hill period, to be quite frank,” Pelissero said Friday. ”Never say never. But if any team is going to have inside information on where things went sideways with Tyreek last year, it would be from a team that traded for multiple other Dolphins veterans within the past couple of few months.
Pundits continue to link the Steelers to receivers on the trade market because of the team’s receiver room. The Steelers could use a more dynamic wideout opposite DK Metcalf.
In his prime, Hill was one of the most dynamic receivers in the league. But he appears to be past his prime.
With a potential suspension looming, it’s also not clear Hill will be on the field for all of the 2025 campaign.
Steelers Make Final Call on Potential WR Tyreek Hill Trade: Report