Tyreek Hill traded to Dolphins as Jets lose out on Chiefs star

Tyreek Hill chose to swim with the Dolphins rather than fly with the Jets.

The Jets finished as the runner-up Wednesday when the Chiefs traded Hill to the Dolphins for a package of five draft picks, after breaking off contract extension negotiations. Hill, nicknamed “Cheetah” because of his blazing speed, did not have a no-trade clause to waive, but his destination became his decision because both AFC East rivals wanted the six-time Pro Bowl receiver to agree beforehand to a new contract instead of acquiring a would-be 2023 free agent.

Hill, 28 and with a history that includes controversy, reportedly simultaneously agreed to a four-year, $120 million contract — becoming the first receiver in NFL history to average $30 million per year — and the Jets’ contract offer to arguably the fastest player in the NFL was in the same ballpark, sources told The Post.

The Chiefs would’ve accepted the Jets’ offer of two second-round picks (No. 35 and No. 38) and a third-rounder (No. 69) in the 2022 draft if Hill indicated that he preferred to sign long term in New York, The Post confirmed. That package is considered about equal value to the return from the Dolphins of a first-rounder (No. 29), second-rounder (No. 50) and a fourth-rounder in 2022 plus fourth- and sixth-rounders in 2023.

Hill’s options were similar from a football standpoint.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur are Kyle Shanahan disciples who shared a playbook as the run and pass game coordinators, respectively, with the 2019-20 49ers. Both teams have highly drafted young quarterbacks, but the Dolphins are slightly more secure with Tua Tagovailoa and veteran Teddy Bridgewater waiting in the wings than the Jets are after Zach Wilson’s up-and-down rookie season.

In the end, Miami offers warmer weather than New York, and Florida offers no state income tax compared to New Jersey’s 10.75 percent at Hill’s pay level. It was not the Jets’ refusal to include either the No. 4 or No. 10 picks in the 2022 draft that prevented the deal from getting done.

Though there is no replicating the electric offense he is leaving behind in Kansas City, Hill will pair with Jaylen Waddle (rookie-record 104 catches) to form the NFL’s fastest receiver duo and again benefit from a tight end (Mike Gesicki) who demands safety attention over the middle.

So, now the Jets must go from thinking that they could land a transformative offensive weapon for Wilson to figuring out how to cover Hill in two games per year with their inexperienced secondary. Hill’s average season amounts to 80 catches for 1,105 yards and more than nine touchdowns — plus impact as an occasional rusher and returner — though there is no certainty he will be as unstoppable without Patrick Mahomes’ ability to extend plays and Andy Reid’s creative quick-throw play-calling.

It was Jets general manager Joe Douglas’ biggest swing yet this offseason at adding a dynamic receiver to 2021 free-agent prize Corey Davis and 2021 second-round pick Elijah Moore. The Jets also showed interest in Amari Cooper, but not at the price on the contract traded from the Cowboys to the Browns.

Hill would’ve come with red flags of his own. In 2014, he was arrested for domestic assault on his pregnant girlfriend while in college. Five years later, he was accused of child abuse, but there was insufficient evidence for criminal charges and a four-month-long NFL investigation ended without a suspension under the personal-conduct policy.

Hill’s sudden unexpected availability was the result of a wrench thrown into extension talks. The Chiefs and Hills were making progress, according to ESPN and NFL Network, before last week, when the Raiders traded a first- and second-round pick to the Packers for Davante Adams then signed Adams to a market-changing five-year, $141.25 million ($67.5 million guaranteed) contract.

— Brian Costello contributed to this report