T.Y. Hilton has been rock solid for the Colts. (Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, wants a new deal that would allow the Pro Bowler to earn his market value.
Colts owner Jim Irsay said last week the team hoped to sign Hilton to a new contract “sooner rather than later.”
There was some speculation the Colts might let Hilton walk after this season since they drafted wide receiver Phillip Dorsett as the 29th overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft.
“If they want to pay me, they’ll pay me,” Hilton told the Indianapolis Star. “It takes both sides to come to an agreement. I leave that up to my agent and just go out there and have fun.”
Hilton will earn about $1.5 million in 2015. Dorsett, as the Colts’ first-round pick, will average more than $2 million per year on his recently signed four-year deal.
Hilton had a career-high 1,345 yards in receiving a year ago, with 82 receptions and seven touchdowns. In 2013, he also caught 82 passes for 1,083 yards and five touchdowns.
General manager Ryan Grigson didn’t commit to a new contract for Hilton before the start of this season.
“Right now, we’re focused on 2015,” Grigson said on the final day of the Colts’ mandatory minicamp last week. “That’s what we’re focused on — keeping our main focus on the field right now.”
Hilton will become a free agent next March if he isn’t signed to an extension before then.
“You draft players and you want to keep them here,” Grigson told the newspaper. “(Hilton) is obviously one we want to keep here. So, we’ll address it at the proper time.”
