Getty Head coach Frank Reich and the Indianapolis Colts traded away one of their offensive weapons at the NFL trade deadline.
The Indianapolis Colts were initially quiet on November 1 with the NFL trade deadline approaching. But just before the deadline, the Colts made a move on offense.
The Athletic’s Zak Keefer reported the Colts traded veteran running back Nyheim Hines to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for fellow running back Zack Moss and a late-round draft pick.
Colts are trading running back Nyheim Hines to the Buffalo Bills, source said.
Source said Colts getting RB Zack Moss and a late-round pick in return.
In his fifth season with the Colts, Hines was one of the longer tenured players in Indianapolis, particularly on offense. The Colts drafted him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft.
This season, he started four games and posted 224 yards from scrimmage in seven contests.
What the Colts Lose Without Hines
Since falling to the Tennessee Titans in Week 7, there have been rumors that the Colts would be sellers at the NFL trade deadline. They weren’t huge sellers, but the Hines-Moss trade should be viewed as a move for the future from Indianapolis’ perspective.
Hines is signed for two more years, but his base salary increases to more than $4.4 million next year. Spotrac reported that base salary will jump above $5 million for the the 2024 season.
That’s probably not a contract the Colts want to be in with Hines’ current production this season.
Although it’s a small sample, Hines is averaging a career-worst 2.0 yards per carry this year with 36 rushing yards on 18 carries. He also has 25 receptions, but that’s a bit of a disappointment too. Media personality Darius Butler claimed before the season that Hines was a candidate to record 100 catches.
Before the trade, Hines was on track to post 57 catches with the Colts.
He also has just 188 receiving yards and only one touchdown. Hines scored his lone touchdown of the season in the 17-16 loss to the Washington Commanders on October 30.
Hines had 586 yards from scrimmage with 40 catches last year. This past offseason, general manager Chris Ballard said the team needed to get Hines more involved on offense.
But like many of Indianapolis’ plans for its offense this season, that failed to materialize.
Colts Add Moss to Running Back Rotation
The Hines trade, though, won’t leave the Colts without a player who can contribute the rest of this season. In addition to a draft pick, Indianapolis received Moss, who is a former third-round pick from 2020.
Moss hasn’t played since Week 5 because he’s been unable to earn much playing time in Buffalo’s crowded backfield. But he is averaging 5.4 yards per carry on 17 rushes this season. He also has 7 receptions for 27 yards.
In his career, Moss has posted 917 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per attempt. Through the air, he’s recorded 44 catches for 319 yards and 2 more scores.
Moss will likely slot into Indianapolis’ running back rotation behind Jonathan Taylor. He doesn’t have as much experience as a pass catcher as Hines, but it’s possible Moss fills that role in Indianapolis.
Interestingly, Spotrac reported Moss only has one year left on his rookie deal. So although Moss is a year younger than Hines, it’s possible the Colts will lose the running back they received in the deadline trade after the 2023 season while Hines could still be in Buffalo in 2024.
But Moss’ base salary next season is just a little more than $1.1 million. Having Moss instead of Hines gives the Colts more cap flexibility going forward.
Obviously Nyheim Hines > Zack Moss.
But the reality is, despite how unique and talented Hines is, there is a $5M difference between their salaries. That is a part of the picture here (even though it’s totally fair to question the move).