Former Chiefs player reveals first surprising reaction to Tyreek Hill trade

Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz felt “total shock and surprise” when the Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. 

When Mitchell Schwartz announced his official retirement from the NFL last week, it wasn’t necessarily a shock to the fanbase. After all, Schwartz has spent the past two years recovering from a back injury and experiencing nerve pain that “might never fully go away.”

Still, there was hope that perhaps Schwartz could return, as he was a beloved part of the franchise in recent years. So was Tyreek Hill until he set. sail for the Dolphins in search of a massive contract and a “more accurate” quarterback.

Schwartz, like most Chiefs fans, felt “total shock and surprise” upon hearing the news about Hill, per Good Morning Football.

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“My first reaction was like total shock and surprise,” Schwartz said. “I didn’t realize that was on the realm of possibilities.”

Mitchell Schwartz felt “total shock and surprise” when Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill

Schwartz elaborated on his thought process as he contemplated the move: Hill was a symbol of the franchise, yet the move made plenty of sense for both sides. There are other guys who are going to need big money, such as Patrick Mahomes for his decade-long commitment.

"“The more I thought about it, it kind of made sense,” Schwartz continued. “Especially when you’ve got a quarterback who is going to have a cap number of $40-50 million here soon. You’ve got Chris Jones, Joe Thuney that you’re paying. You’ve got Frank Clark’s cap number. Some other guys as well. You kind of have to pick and choose. Is one receiver going to change the dynamic of the offense that incredibly, especially when you’ve already got a guy like (Travis) Kelce?”"

Although Hill remains in great shape, Schwartz points out that he’s nearing 30: now may be the time to “diversify their receiver room.”

"“I think the idea there is, don’t pay top-market value for a receiver — who as good as he has been, as fast as he is — is getting to the other side of 30. You know, kind of diversify their receiver room. Get some bigger guys as well. That’s one thing, the Chiefs, for the most part, have had kind of faster, smaller guys. I know, for the quarterback, they like those big catch radiuses. So you get a guy like JuJu (Smith-Schuster), you get a guy like MVS (Marquez Valdes-Scantling) in there, (they’re) tall, rangy guys who can go snag (the football).”"

Even though the move initially shocked him, Schwartz thinks the Chiefs will be better for it. Now, the Chiefs will ideally focus on developing their run game.

” I think it’ll be a more well-rounded offense,” Schwartz said. “Obviously, you don’t have that one guy at the top to really blow things open. That’s why (Andy Reid) is the mastermind he is. They wouldn’t have traded (Tyreek Hill) if they thought there would be any sort of drop-off.”