Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas officially set the new bar for wide receiver contracts each signing deals worth five years and $70 million with around $43 to $45 million in guaranteed money. That will become the new normal for the next group of receivers waiting for contracts which include Julio Jones, TY Hilton and AJ Green. For Jones and Green, they fall on par with Bryant and Thomas, but do the Indianapolis Colts believe the same thing about Hilton?
Hilton certainly noticed the money given out to Bryant and Thomas. The wide receiver tweeted out, "All this BREAKING NEWS. Does this mean the bar is set?? #THEGHOST." Hilton is entering the final year of his contract and has yet to really hear from the Colts in terms of a new deal. The receiver told the media earlier in the offseason that Indianapolis "wants to pay me, they'll pay me." However, are the Colts planning on breaking the bank for Hilton?
Hilton is not on the same level as Bryant and Thomas in terms of stats. He is a new breakout star for the team putting up 1,345 yards last season and earning his first Pro Bowl trip. That does not put him at the same level as other receivers, but will get him a payday in free agency. It just depends on whether or not that comes from the Colts. Hilton is not sounding like a receiver that will accept less in a new contract, but the Colts have other players that must get paid first.
Quarterback Andrew Luck is likely to take priority first and foremost. According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN's NFL Nation, the quarterback could set a new bar in what players get in guaranteed money as he and Russell Wilson will battle to be the next highest-paid stars. Outside of Luck, the Colts need to ink tight end Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen who will take attention away from Hilton.
According to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, Hilton wants a contract this offseason. He does not want to wait around. General manager Ryan Grigson pretty much shot down that idea from happening, telling ESPN, "Right now we're focused on 2015. That's what we're focused on, keeping our main focus on the field right now."
Hilton has to prove himself this season and put together another top year in order to get the big payout he is hoping for. The Colts added Phillip Dorsett in the draft and Andre Johnson in free agency which means there is competition for the receiver on the field. Hilton is going to need to prove his financial value is high.
