The Indianapolis Colts figure to be one of the most active teams once the legal tampering period opens up in five days.
The consensus opinion among insiders, though, indicates they won’t re-sign any of their impending free agents before that time.
As things stand, the Colts’ most noteworthy players set to hit the open market include wide receiver TY Hilton, cornerbacks Xavier Rhodes and TJ Carrie, edge rushers Justin Houston and Denico Autry and safety Malik Hooker.
In a perfect world, GM Chris Ballard would welcome them all back with open arms, but that simply isn’t possible given how much is on his plate this offseason.
While it remains to be seen what Indianapolis’ plans are for that group, the latest rumors suggest that the team is in an inauspicious position with Hilton with free agency just five days away.
Per insider Stephen Holder of The Athletic, the Colts and Hilton have discussed terms of a potential new deal, but haven’t come close to seeing eye to eye.
Where do things stand with T.Y. Hilton and Xavier Rhodes? And how did the franchise-tag decisions league-wide impact the Colts at one key position? Answers in my latest piece, covering the latest Colts free-agency buzz: https://t.co/o1ZhyA3HEj
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 10, 2021
The Colts and free agent wideout TY Hilton reportedly aren’t close to a deal.
As Holder wrote:
"Here is what we know: With five days remaining until the four-time Pro Bowl selection can negotiate with outside teams, there is nothing remotely imminent with Hilton and the Colts. From what I can gather, I don’t really sense any significant traction here at all."
Well, that won’t instill much confidence in Colts fans who are eager to see Hilton return to the blue and white this offseason. In fairness to Ballard, however, it doesn’t make much sense to push the envelope to reach an agreement before he gathers a gauge on the 31-year-old’s market.
With the likes of Allen Robinson and Chris Godwin, arguably the top two free agents in the loaded receiver class, getting hit with the franchise tag, it’s reasonable to assume that Hilton generates a more robust market than folks previously surmised.
And the more deals he has to chew over, the less likely it that that he’ll return to Indianapolis.
TY Hilton: “I said it all season: I’d love to come back, they know that ... but if doesn’t work out, I look forward to a new chapter.” https://t.co/7m0TJugOMl
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) March 5, 2021
Hilton would be a welcome addition to any offense in need of a WR, and it seems like Ballard and the Colts, regardless of how much as they would like him back, are content with letting the former third-rounder negotiate with other teams and potentially ink a lucrative deal elsewhere.
There’s still plenty of time for Indy to get a deal done with Hilton, but the way things are looking right now, his surge in the latter half of the 2020 season (as much as it helped the team sneak into the playoffs) might ironically end up putting the nail in the coffin of his tenure with the Colts.
Colts insider provides perfect replacement for TY Hilton if veteran leaves in free agency
Indianapolis Star insider Jim Ayello thinks the Colts should target wide receiver Corey Davis this offseason if TY Hilton leaves in free agency.