The Colts’ offense is expected to take a step forward in 2022, but the team’s pass-catching corps is relatively lacking in experience. Throughout the offseason, the possibility of another deal being struck which would keep T.Y. Hilton in the fold has remained, though such a move now appears unlikely. 
During a press conference earlier this week, general manager Chris Ballard said, “Do I think T.Y. can still play? Absolutely. But right now, I like where we’re at” (Twitter link via ESPN’s Stephen Holder). That echoes the sentiment expressed by owner Jim Irsay back in May on the subject of re-signing the 32-year-old.
Hilton was reported at that time to have received interest from other teams, but a reunion with the Colts has remained the most logical move for the veteran. Indianapolis has Michael Pittman Jr. in line to once again operate as their No. 1 wideout, after he topped 1,000 yards in his second NFL season. The team also added Alec Pierce in the second round of this year’s draft, and Parris Campbell, who has struggled to remain healthy, projects as the final member of their starting trio.
The Colts could still find themselves in need of a field-stretching wideout, though. Hilton has certainly been that throughout his career, and now sits third on the franchise’s all-time receiving list. He had by far the least productive campaign of his 10-year tenure in 2021, however, with just 23 receptions and 331 yards. Barring injury, a rotational role would be likely – something which would represent a stark change for a player with 121 starts to his name.
With just over $6MM in cap space, the Colts could afford a modest deal for Hilton, though it would of course need to be smaller than the $8MM pact he played on last season. Absent an offer from Indianapolis or elsewhere, retirement may once again be on the table, as it was following the 2021 campaign.
Dallas Cowboys call him
The resistance to adding Hilton to an inexperienced group is strange. Does he simply want too much money? I’m not sure what else would preclude a signing-unless Hilton does not want to accept a reduced role on offense.
He was said to have weighed retirement in the last few years (perhaps falsely), so I can’t think that he would be resistant to not being the primary option anymore. Indy seems to have been nudging him out the door the last few years, and it’s a little strange to me. Even at this stage in his career, it seems that the Colts could use Hilton somehow.
Al-85-I don’t believe Indy “nudged him out” at all, if anything, he nudged himself out. He had great chemistry with Andrew Luck, but never really recaptured that with 3 QB’s since (now 4, but TY isn’t here to work with Ryan.). TY hasn’t stayed healthy the last few years, either. In all honestly, TY looks done & I hope he doesn’t play for anyone else, just retires.
I agree with most of what you’re saying, especially the chemistry and injury observations, but this same thing seems to have happened last year. You don’t think that, with an unsure receiving corps and a short term rental at QB, Indy could find some use for Hilton at all? Unless his pride prevents him from taking a smaller role, it seems a bit too much to say that he doesn’t bring anything at all to the table-even if it is significantly less than he did with Luck.