T.Y. Hilton didn’t know what to think when he lost feeling on his left side. And he began to wonder whether his football career was over when he subsequently emerged from neck surgery with intense pain.
But Hilton overcame those setbacks, physically and mentally, ultimately returning to the Colts’ roster. That allowed the veteran wide receiver to continue a career that has earned him a place among the finest players in franchise history.
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Hilton is once again at a pivotal place. He remains a free agent and is still plotting his next move. Everything is on the table, from retirement to playing for another team in what would be his 11th season.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard, after using his top draft pick on receiver Alec Pierce (53rd overall) earlier this month, said of the team’s conversations with Hilton, “I’ve said all along, I think he can still play. We’ll work through that.”
Here’s an update including everything we know about the 32-year-old Hilton’s status and next steps, along with some related questions surrounding his possible return to the Colts, the only NFL team he’s known.
Where things stand
So, what is Hilton’s position?
He’s been quiet, but Hilton has had fruitful conversations with at least two other teams. There is legitimate interest outside the Colts organization. If Hilton wants to play, it appears the opportunity will be there regardless of what the Colts decide.
Hilton hasn’t ruled out retirement, either. He has told the Colts in recent weeks and months that his intention is to play in 2022. And he has remained in regular contact with Ballard in recent weeks. But the decision to play this season would likely be impacted by what kind of opportunities are available.
Meanwhile, the Colts are particularly young at wide receiver. They do not have any players in the unit beyond their fourth season in the NFL. Ashton Dulin and Keke Coutee, both 25, are the oldest receivers under contract. No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is 24 and entering just his third season.
So, the case for a veteran receiver is clear. Jarvis Landry’s recent signing with the Saints, along with the Colts’ internal decision that Julio Jones is not a fit, make Hilton one of the more obvious options should Indianapolis elect to sign a veteran.
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Hilton’s production was limited last season, particularly as the passing game became more ineffective down the stretch. He finished with 23 receptions for 331 yards, starting nine games after missing the first five weeks with the neck injury. He averaged just 3.7 targets per game.
But Hilton’s role on the team evolved to more than just a reliable pair of hands. He became perhaps the most outspoken leader on the roster in 2021, shedding his usual understated nature and taking on very a vocal posture.
“I don’t really talk much,” Hilton said in January. “I love to play. But when I talk, people listen. … I’m just happy that I’m someone they can look up to and I’m going to continue being that leader for them.”
But what about his role?
Here is where this gets dicey.
Hilton ranks third in franchise history with 9,691 receiving yards. The four-time Pro Bowl selection is almost certain to be enshrined in the team’s Ring of Honor after his career ends. Given Hilton’s status, it would be hard to envision the Colts signing him to occupy a spot at the end of the bench.
This is why the Colts are not rushing into a decision. They are still in the early stages of evaluating their receivers and the unit’s collective development in 2022. There is optimism around players like Dulin, Dezmon Patmon and Mike Strachan, who have played sparingly. Pierce is expected to play extensively as a rookie. And then there is Parris Campbell, who has spent most of his career on the injury report but is healthy and hopeful for a major role this season.
In a best-case scenario — the young receivers pan out and Campbell can stay healthy — Hilton’s role could be minimal. It isn’t so much that he would play behind the young backups. It’s that the young backups might also be deserving of playing time, and there are only so many snaps to go around.
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Conversely, injuries are a mere inevitability and Hilton is, at worst, quality depth. These are the questions the Colts and Hilton are considering. And both parties will need to be comfortable with the answers if he is to continue playing in Indianapolis.
How much money?
Hilton’s negotiations with the Colts in spring 2021 were not particularly easy. He was a free agent for several weeks before finally agreeing to terms on a one-year deal for around $8 million.
Getting there was tough. Hilton said he came close to signing a multi-year deal with the Ravens for more overall money than the Colts’ one-year contract. It took Colts owner Jim Irsay intervening at the last moment to break the stalemate with the Colts, with Irsay agreeing to give Hilton a bump from the team’s previous offer.
Agreeing to a number this year won’t be any easier. Hilton is a year older and battled injuries again last season. The Colts are also better equipped at wide receiver after drafting Pierce and developing their young players at the position.
At the same time, there has been a ridiculous reset in wide receiver salaries this offseason, and Hilton has almost certainly noticed. How much is a player who has earned in excess of $75 million in his career willing to settle for?
This is a question every bit as complicated as Hilton’s role in the offense. And, like that question, there are no easy answers for this one, either.
(Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)
Stephen Holder is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the NFL. He has covered the league since 2005, with lengthy stints on the Buccaneers and Colts beats for the Tampa Bay Times and Indianapolis Star. A South Florida native who attended the University of Miami, he has also previously worked for the Associated Press and The Miami Herald.
