Hakeem Nicks Reportedly Wants to Return to Colts

According to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Hakeem Nicks indicated that he would like to return to the Indianapolis Colts, following the team’s 24-13 win over the Denver Broncos:

Fortunately for Nicks, he’ll get at least one more week to play in “Horseshoe Blue”, as the team heads to New England next weekend to take on the Patriots in the AFC Championship game.

Originally signed as a free agent this past offseason on a 1-year “prove it” deal, it previously looked like a foregone conclusion that Nicks would be handed his walking papers earlier in the season at year’s end. Still only 26 years old, the 6-year veteran failed to show much burst or separation and lacked obvious rapport with quarterback Andrew Luck. He was often bypassed on the wide receiver pecking order in favor of rookie wideout Donte Moncrief.

However, he’s seemingly picked it up in recent weeks, and it looks as though he may return if his asking price is right. While in today’s win, he only had 2 receptions for 24 receiving yards, none of his catches have been bigger this season than his 15 yard touchdown reception early in the 3rd quarter that put the Colts up 21-10:

As a previous Super Bowl Champion with the New York Giants, Nicks provides the Colts young receiving corps with another veteran option that is battle-tested in big games. He has said that he enjoys the bright lights of the playoffs, and with clutch catches like above, it’s easy to see why.

On his end, it seems like a smart business move to continue his partnership with a budding superstar in Andrew Luck on the field at quarterback. Life is a lot easier with a great quarterback for a wide receiver in today’s NFL afterall.

The Colts could probably do a bit better than Nicks in next year’s free agency market at wide receiver, but they could also do a lot worse. It’ll be interesting to see if his late season surge is enough to entice GM Ryan Grigson to offer him a multi-year contract for next season. If he continues to make big postseason plays, he’ll certainly be helping his chances.

In the mean time, neither Nicks nor the Colts will have to worry about that decision yet, as the team is still playing meaningful football.

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (14) lands on Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) after making a touchdown reception during the third quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports