Should Colts Reunite with T.Y. Hilton?

The Indianapolis Colts are amid a shift in the team’s direction for the future.

Currently, the Colts are in free agency, and multiple players have already been moving. One surprising piece that wasn’t retained was now-New York Giants' wide receiver, Parris Campbell.

With this departure, the top three receivers currently on the depth chart are Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and Ashton Dulin. Even with Dulin’s athleticism and skills, he isn’t a third option yet.

While names like Mecole Hardman and D.J. Chark have been thrown around, one person may be the easiest to insert into the mix. That would be none other than T.Y. Hilton.

“The Ghost” needs no introduction to the Colts' fanbase. Playing from 2012-2021 with Indianapolis, Hilton was electric, posting four straight Pro Bowl nods (2014-2017) and leading the NFL in receiving yards in 2016. However, since former Colts QB Andrew Luck hung it up in 2019, Hilton hasn’t been anywhere near as effective.

The upcoming QB carousel didn’t help matters, as Hilton wouldn’t be re-signed in 2022. Instead, he would get a nod from the Dallas Cowboys for the final three regular season games and their short playoff run.

Hilton proved he could still burn secondaries for huge plays. This realization came as early as his first catch in a Cowboys uniform.

Not a bad first @dallascowboys catch for @TYHilton13! pic.twitter.com/ddcWjeR9ay
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) December 24, 2022

He provided depth at the position and helped open up intermediate throws for Dak Prescott. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy found ways to use the veteran, and Shane Steichen could do the same in Indianapolis.

Hilton may not be the WR1 he once was. However, given how badly the Colts need depth and what Hilton can present as a deep threat, it’s not a bad reunion to have in Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts will also have new quarterbacks in Gardner Minshew and whomever they pick in the NFL draft, so Hilton could prove even more valuable.

Recent news of former Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie signing with the Colts makes things interesting. Hilton would likely compete with McKenzie and Dulin in the slot. But, it would still give Hilton a chance to provide big plays with another speedy wide receiver in McKenzie on the field.

It’s also worth noting that Hilton likely won’t cost much for the Colts. Bringing Hilton back would likely be cheap with a general manager in Chris Ballard who likes to save money. Per SpoTrac, he was signed by the Cowboys on a very modest one-year, $800,000 contract.

It’s hard to say exactly what the numbers would be for a Hilton deal to get done. But given how much he could help the QB room – with the likelihood of a rookie starter – and it could be worth every penny. Hilton also knows the Indianapolis community better than anyone else in the locker room.

Is it unlikely Ballard wants the nearly 34-year-old Hilton? Perhaps. But, given his history with the organization and his ability to still be worthwhile to a needy offense, Hilton might make for a great fit.

Hilton could help the rookie receivers and quarterback acclimate to the league while providing a veteran presence on the field. We’ll see what the Colts do with a receiver room that needs depth at the highest level.

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