KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It took winding journey during the past six months, but the Chiefs and wide receiver Tyreek Hill inked a three-year extension on Friday worth $54 million with reportedly $35.2 million guaranteed, including a $5.8 million signing bonus.
Head coach Andy Reid congratulated his superstar on getting the deal done before the beginning of the season.
“I thought it was good,” Reid said. “I'm not in that business anymore, but it's good to have him. I hope he can still run fast with all that money in his pocket.”
Hill didn't address reporters in the locker room after practice Friday, but he issues a statement through the club expressing his thankfulness.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue my playing career here in Kansas City,” Hill said in the statement. “Kansas City is my home, and I appreciate the love and support from (club chairman and CEO) Clark Hunt, coach Reid and (general manager) Brett Veach, along with my coaches and teammates. To Chiefs Kingdom, you’re the best fans in the world.”
The extension with Hill tacks on three more seasons to his rookie contract that runs through this season. That deal included a base salary of $1.965 million for the 2019 season.
Six months ago the two sides appeared on course for a monster deal similar to the five-year, $96.25 million extension signed by receiver Michael Thomas with the Saints this offseason. But a tumultuous offseason for Hill slowed that discussion. The new contract keeps Hill in KC for three more seasons, yet also allows him the chance to negotiate a third NFL contract at age 28 following the 2022 season.
Despite the rocky offseason, the Chiefs never wavered in their support of Hill. Reid says the contract extension illustrates that faith.
“You have the answer to your question by us signing him, we obviously felt pretty good about it,” Reid said.
Hill and the Chiefs mutually agreed for him to sit out most of the team's offseason program, including OTAs and the mandatory minicamp. Reid didn't see any issues with Hill and his teammates when he returned for the beginning of training camp.
“They worked out all summer together, so him stepping back in, it was no big deal as far as the football part goes,” he said. “And then I don't think there was ever a question with his teammates when he wasn't here. They understood the situation and the time that needed to make sure everything was resolved, and here he we are.”
Fellow wide receiver Sammy Watkins was happy to see Hill land the new contract.
'I think now he can put whatever money thing behind him and come out here and be the kid he is and have fun and enjoy,” Watkins said. “Whenever anybody gets paid, I'm pretty sure everybody around here happy and he can take care of his family for the rest of his life.”
Watkins said Hill is a catalyst for the team's positive energy on the offensive side of the ball.
“He's a guy that's going to laugh, going to joke, that's going to bring that energy that's going to have fun and joy. We need somebody like that in our room, and it's a blessing that he got paid.”
Defensive end Frank Clark, who himself landed a rich contract this season, also expressed happiness for his teammate.
“You just know how hard he works and you see things he does, then you see the things he's went through in his past just to get to this point,” Clark said. “It's dope, man. Not just for my teammate, that's for anybody, to see them overcome the odds and to see them get to a place where they can take care of their family for the rest of their lives.”
Clark said it's a positive indication for the club's future to have Hill locked up for three more seasons.
“You look at how Tyreek just got paid, man, you look at other guys who's coming up next,” Clark said. “It's a bright sign for the Chiefs.”
