Stephen A. Smith guarantees Chiefs title
Stephen A. Smith said on October 5, 2026, that Kansas City would win the Super Bowl if free agent Tyreek Hill returned to the Chiefs and was healthy enough to contribute effectively.
Smith specifically set his threshold at 80% health for Hill, who is recovering from a serious left knee injury. His prediction followed reports that Kansas City had contacted Hill’s agent about a possible reunion.
Stephen A. Smith sets 80% threshold
Smith made the championship guarantee Monday on ESPN’s First Take while discussing Hill’s possible return to Kansas City. He argued that Hill would not need to regain full health to change the Chiefs’ offense again.
Smith said an 80% version of Hill would be enough for Kansas City to win the Super Bowl. His statement came one day after the Chiefs remained unbeaten with a road victory in Las Vegas.
Chiefs improve to 4 and 0
Kansas City defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 30-27 at Allegiant Stadium on October 4. The victory moved the Chiefs to 4-0 and left them as the AFC’s only unbeaten team.
Patrick Mahomes completed 15 of 30 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Kansas City scored 20 points in the fourth quarter, including two Kenneth Walker III rushing touchdowns late in the game.
Chiefs lose Rashee Rice to injury
Kansas City’s receiving depth changed against Las Vegas when Rashee Rice suffered a hamstring injury during the first quarter. The Chiefs receiver left the game and did not return during the 30 to 27 victory.
Kansas City’s bye gives Rice additional recovery time before the team’s next game. The Chiefs are scheduled to host the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium on October 18 following their week off.
Chiefs lose Tyquan Thornton for weeks
Tyquan Thornton suffered a dislocated left ankle after making a 55-yard catch late against Las Vegas. The Chiefs receiver finished the game with 5 catches for a career-best 111 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Thornton is expected to miss 12 to 16 weeks, according to reporting citing league sources. The injury removes a receiver who had just produced his first career game with 2 receiving touchdowns.
Tyreek Hill emerges as Chiefs option
Kansas City’s receiver injuries increased attention on Hill, who remains a free agent after Miami released him in February 2026. The Dolphins officially released Hill with a failed physical designation on February 16.
Hill spent 4 seasons with Miami and recorded 340 receptions for 4,733 yards and 27 touchdowns. In 2023, he led the NFL with a Dolphins single-season record of 1,799 receiving yards.
Tyreek Hill enters contract talks
Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus said negotiations were beginning with multiple teams, with Kansas City among the interested clubs. Rosenhaus said on October 5 that Hill could potentially sign with a team within several days.
Rosenhaus said Hill plans to play only for a contender as the receiver works toward an NFL return. Reports have also connected the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants with the veteran free agent.
Tyreek Hill recovers from knee injury
Hill is attempting to return after a dislocated left knee ended his 2025 season in Week 4. NFL reporting confirmed that he tore multiple ligaments, including his ACL, and underwent surgery afterward.
The injury limited Hill to four games during his final season with Miami. Hill finished the shortened 2025 campaign with 21 receptions for 265 yards and one touchdown.
Tyreek Hill targets November return
Reports indicate Hill could be ready to play in November as he continues recovering from his knee injury. The 32-year-old receiver recently shared training footage showing his progress while running on a beach.
During his rehabilitation, Hill acknowledged that his injured left leg still needed to regain strength. By October, Rosenhaus was preparing contract discussions with multiple teams as Hill worked toward returning to the NFL.
Fun fact: During the 2016 rookie season with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tyreek Hill tied the franchise’s rookie record by scoring 12 total touchdowns.
Tyreek Hill knows Chiefs personnel
Hill spent his first 6 NFL seasons with Kansas City from 2016 through 2021. He recorded 479 receptions for 6,630 receiving yards and 56 touchdowns during his original run with the Chiefs.
Kansas City reached 4 consecutive AFC Championship Games during Hill’s final 4 seasons with the franchise. Hill also appeared in 2 Super Bowls for the Chiefs and helped Kansas City win Super Bowl LIV.
Tyreek Hill helped Chiefs win title
Hill caught 9 passes for 105 yards when Kansas City defeated San Francisco in Super Bowl LIV. The victory capped the 2019 NFL season and gave Hill his first Super Bowl championship with the Chiefs.
During his 6 Kansas City seasons, Hill earned 6 Pro Bowl selections and 3 first-team All-Pro honors. Those achievements came before Kansas City traded him to Miami ahead of the 2022 NFL season.
Chiefs traded Hill for 5 picks
Kansas City traded Hill to Miami on March 23, 2022, receiving 5 draft selections in return. The package included 3 selections in the 2022 NFL Draft and 2 additional picks in the 2023 draft.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said Hill had been a major part of Kansas City’s success. Miami then gave the receiver a 4-year, $120 million extension following the trade with the Chiefs.
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Chiefs stars support possible reunion
Patrick Mahomes said a possible reunion with Hill would be “pretty cool” after Kansas City’s victory in Las Vegas. Mahomes and Hill played together for 4 seasons from 2018 through 2021 with the Chiefs.
Travis Kelce also supported the possibility, saying he would love to have Hill back in the building. Kelce and Hill were Chiefs teammates throughout Hill’s 6 seasons in Kansas City from 2016 through 2021.
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Do you think Tyreek Hill’s return would make the Chiefs Super Bowl favorites? Share your take in the comments and tell us whether you agree with Stephen A. Smith.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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