T.Y. Hilton alluded to a possible return to the Indianapolis Colts with a cryptic tweet on Wednesday afternoon.
As it turns out, the tweet wasn't very cryptic at all.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Hilton will indeed be headed back to Indy on a one-year, $10 million deal. The four-time Pro Bowler will get $8 million in guaranteed:
For the #Colts and WR TY Hilton, it’s a 1-year deal worth $10M with $8M gauranteed, per the Katz Bros. https://t.co/0UhKAAZXNm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 24, 2021
Hilton himself reacted to the news on Twitter, saying he appreciates the love and support from Colts fans and people in the city:
One thing i kno about this city. Is that they love me. And i love them. I listen to all the songs. I read all the tweets. I will cherish this forever 🥲🥲. It’s only right i finish what i started. #TYISHOME pic.twitter.com/PEfV5YoHIa
— TY Hilton (@TYHilton13) March 24, 2021
This has been a distinct possibility for months now.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard has repeatedly said the team would like to re-sign Hilton. The 31-year-old's teammates clearly wanted him back, with safety Kenny Moore and linebacker Darius Leonard constantly tweeting at Hilton:
@TYHilton13 cmon bruh stop playing now! OneTREE what’s good man 😂😂😂 https://t.co/mhQRsIpQn0
— Darius Shaquille Leonard (@dsleon45) March 21, 2021
It made sense for Hilton to hold off on signing until he had a better understanding of his individual market.
A slew of marquee wide receivers were off the board early in free agency. But plenty of teams still need receiving help. Hilton might as well have scoured around to see if he could get something lucrative.
However, Indy was always lurking. Hilton previously told Josina Anderson that Ballard had asked to have the chance any potential offers Indy's longtime star wideout received on the open market:
Just got off the phone with #Colts WR T.Y. Hilton. "I spoke with Chris (Ballard) before I left town last Tuesday. He told me he would at least like a chance to match any potential offer I get on the market. I'm just gonna let other teams do their due diligence at this point."
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 15, 2021
The deal has upside for both sides.
Ballard and the Colts get a guy who has been a bona fide No. 1 and can be a reliable target for new quarterback Carson Wentz. Meanwhile, Hilton has the chance to play for an AFC contender and prove his real worth after being hampered by some nagging injuries in the last two seasons.
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