According to Spotrac, one of the most highly regarded salary cap valuation web sites available, the Indianapolis Colts have currently made the most cap savings this offseason because of releases, restructuring, or retirements:
2015 Cap Savings per Release/Restructure/Retirement:#Colts: $10.2M#Cowboys: $10.1M#Giants: $7.8M#Packers: $7.8Mhttp://t.co/ux5SimjoY7
— Spotrac (@spotrac) February 26, 2015
Of course, the majority of their work has come from releases, as General Manager Ryan Grigson has released two highly paid veteran players in safety LaRon Landry and Ricky Jean-Francois already, who account for nearly $7 million of that total.
However, that $10.2 million dollar total could still grow, as the team still faces decisions on two other serious potential cap casualties in disappointing young running back Trent Richardson ($3.1M) and oft-injured veteran offensive guard Donald Thomas ($3.25M). Both could very well see themselves as next in-line on the Colts “chopping block”.
What is certain though, is that the Colts will have ample cap space this offseason and are set up to become “serious players” in free agency with an upwards of $40 million of potential cap space. Unlike previous offseasons; however, the team needs to find true “difference-makers” rather than solid role players.
From our research, we’ve written up breakdowns on several of the potential marquee free agents who could pique the interest of the Colts in this year’s offseason:
- Frank Gore, Running Back
- Rodney Hudson, Center
- Mike Iupati, Offensive Guard
- Devin McCourty, Safety
- Pernell McPhee, Outside Linebacker
- Haloti Ngata, Defensive Tackle
- Jason Pierre-Paul, Defensive End
- Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle
- Dan Williams, Nose Tackle
Each of these players is considered among the best at their respective position and would help to upgrade the Colts as an overall team. However, each player will also be expected to command a premium, so it’s likely the Colts will only be able to obtain a handful at most of these players with Andrew Luck‘s mega-extension looming.
Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports