:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66792529/1176821326.jpg.0.jpg)
Indianapolis Colts star wide receiver T.Y. Hilton said on Wednesday that he “wants to be a Colt for life”, and that both sides have already had a handful of contract extension discussions before COVID-19 hit—but have yet to come to an actual agreement (via 1070 The Fan’s Kevin Bowen and The Athletic’s Zak Keefer):
Hilton, 30, on the contract year:
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) May 13, 2020
“I want to be a Colt for life, but it takes two sides to get it done.”
TY Hilton says whatever the length of his next deal — 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, whatever it is — then "that'll be it for me." He's entering his ninth year in Indy.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) May 13, 2020
"It's up to Mr. Irsay and Chris. I wanna be here."
He said he and the team had begun negotiations before Covid.
The 30 year old wideout had a down season in 2019, catching 45 receptions for 501 receiving yards (11.1 ypr. avg.) and 5 touchdown receptions during 10 starts—as he was limited by injuries (including a torn calf) and lukewarm starting quarterback play.
However, the 4x Pro Bowl wideout is just a year removed from recording 76 receptions for 1,270 receiving yards (16.7 ypr. avg.) and 6 touchdown receptions during 14 starts in 2018.
Hilton ranks 4th all-time in Colts franchise history in receptions (552) and receiving yards (8,598), and is also 7th in receiving touchdowns (45) from his 8 standout seasons in Indianapolis.
The hope is that by being paired with a veteran quarterback upgrade, Philip Rivers, that Hilton will have a bounce back season in Indianapolis—with a wily proven gunslinger who’s willing to take chances and throw the ball downfield—as Hilton excels as an elite deep threat.
Hilton is in the last season of a 5-year, $65 million contract extension that he signed with the Colts back in August of 2015. He’s due for a $14.542 million cap hit in 2020.
With a rebound season, the franchise great should be a strong candidate to be re-signed—but those discussions could just depend on his underlying health during his 31 year old campaign.
However, Hilton and the Colts could always reach a contract extension agreement even sooner.