The Dallas Cowboys have been rumored for weeks to be the favorite to sign free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. Instead, they’ve decided to sign former Indianapolis Colts wideout T.Y. Hilton.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport first reported the news, saying that Hilton is “on a visit with the team today and should provide help down the stretch and in the playoffs.”
The #Cowboys are securing veteran WR help after all, signing longtime #Colts star TY Hilton, his agents @KatzBrosSports tell me and @SlaterNFL. He’s on a visit with the team today and should provide help down the stretch and in the playoffs. 👻 👻 👻 pic.twitter.com/v3A4qQREVJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2022
While it’s still possible the Cowboys could also sign Beckham, they seem pretty happy with a veteran like Hilton joining their squad as they barrel toward a playoff spot.
“The timing is right. He’s ready to go. He’s an excellent addition, especially at this time of year,” coach Mike McCarthy said Monday.
Hilton has not played in the NFL this season after 10 years with the Colts, but his record speaks for itself. For his career, he has 631 receptions, 9,691 yards, and 53 touchdowns in a four-time Pro Bowl career. However, Hilton caught just 23 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns last season in 10 games as injuries slowed his start.
While Hilton isn’t the glitzy signing that Beckham would be, he does provide quarterback Dak Prescott with a dependable, veteran option at receiver. Along with CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Noah Brown, and others, Dallas will have a decent selection of weapons as they attempt to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East.
Meanwhile, there were lots of strong reactions to the signing.
“Yall wanted WR help,” said Blogging the Boys podcaster Roy White III. “Decent addition in hopes of filling a role they havent had this season – a blow-the-top-off deep threat.”
“No clue what he’s got left, but presuming it’s a one-year, zero downside to trying and seeing,” said D Magazine sports editor Mike Piellucci.
“Good for TY,” added Indianapolis TV reporter Mike Chappell.
