The Cowboys have long been connected to one free agent wideout, but they have reached agreement with a different one. Dallas is set to sign T.Y. Hilton, reports NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). The club has confirmed the move. 
The 33-year-old had a workout earlier today, and it has produced a one-year deal, per a team announcement. The move will provide the Cowboys with an experienced pass-catcher on, presumably, a low-cost pact which will leave them with financial flexibility for any further signings.
Hilton had spent his entire 10-year career with the Colts, where he established himself as one of the top receivers in franchise history. His tenure there included four consecutive Pro Bowls between 2014 and 2017. The former third-rounder led the NFL in receiving yards in 2016, remaining a consistent deep threat for most of the years following that campaign. Injuries began to take a toll in recent years, however.
As a result, it became increasingly unlikely over the course of this past offseason that a new deal would come to fruition keeping him in Indianapolis. Hilton nearly signed with the Ravens as a free agent in 2021, but returned to the Colts on a one-year deal. Now, he will head to a playoff-bound Cowboys team which has faced plenty of questions at the WR position.
The trade sending Amari Cooper to the Browns left CeeDee Lamb as the team’s undisputed No. 1 receiver. Michael Gallup missed time at the start of the season due to his recovery from an ACL tear, though, and free agent signing James Washington was just activated from IR. Hilton will likely be able to occupy a complimentary role as Dallas looks to find greater consistency in the passing game down the stretch.
Of course, this deal comes within the context of the Cowboys’ long and public pursuit of Odell Beckham Jr. The free agent was considered a near-lock to be joining Dallas not long ago, but concerns over his health have led to a markedly different expectation for what he would be able to contribute for any team he joins in 2022. At this point, no deal is considered imminent on the Beckham front – something which no doubt influenced this pivot to Hilton.
Hilton’s first action as a Cowboy could come as soon as this Sunday when Dallas visits Jacksonville. A strong showing with his new team could spark a postseason run, and help build his free agent value heading into the offseason.
Oh Odell, now what happened?
Not even out of leftfield, this a fastball from another planet.
Odell gone ig
Hahaha this is Jerry Jones
Of course now he’ll claim they just pretended to have an interest in OBJ, to hide from the Giants, their plan to sign Hilton.
OBJ tells the nfl world he’s looking to sign with a team. But failed to say he would not be ready to play for 5 weeks.and in his must recent interview he never planned on playing during the regular season.T.YHilton is ready upon signing
I forgot that Hilton still existed.
I have reservations about Hilton, but there is room for improvement, so I’ll st check out the Cowboys and see how they look.
So one deflected pass off Washington’s hands is all we get to see of him I guess.
Wow, truly surprising – Who would have expected the Cowboys to avoid the Odell Beckham mistake?
I rather sign Hilton for one year than Odell for multi years. This way they can save future money to extend their stars that will be free agents and cost quite a bit
“Wait, WHAT??!!??”
– Odell Beckham Jr.
Not very difficult to be the Cowboys second best WR.
But what does Odell’s dad think about this…?
After watching receivers regularly contort, leap and dive in attempts to catch Dak’s passes, I’m thinking the Cowboys should scratch conventional methods trying to improve their receiver group and scout Cirque Du Soleil performers.