Colts Dwayne Allen Focused on Football, Not Contract

According to IndySportsCentral’s Mike Chappell, Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen is looking forward to to a healthy and productive year next season. The longtime Colts journalist caught up with the Colts talented young tight end, who despite being a free agent at season’s end, is purely focused on playing football for next year:

"“I play this game because I want to be the best,’’ Allen told Chappell. “It’s not because I want to be the highest-paid or anything like that.“With the contract looming, it is what it is. Coach’s contract looming, Andrew’s, everyone else’s,” added Allen. “Me thinking about a contract isn’t going to help me play any better on the field. Me focusing on having my body in the best shape possible to go out and help the team will.’’"

With quarterback Andrew Luck‘s mega-contract looming, not to mention T.Y. Hilton‘s next lucrative contract also a high priority, there’s been speculation that the Colts may only be able to afford one of their young tight ends in Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener. Both tight ends are entering the last year of their rookie contracts and are set to become free agents at season’s end.

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (83) against the Denver Broncos in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts and their coaches know they “couldn’t have a better group of guys” at the tight end position, but for how long that will actually last beyond next season, remains to be seen. To Allen’s credit, he’s saying all of the right things, as he’s not publicly worried about his next contract. Rather, he’s simply looking to get his body in the best shape to play football at a high level next season.

For Allen, it’s never been about talent or ability during his 3 seasons with the Colts. It’s just a matter of his durability and whether he can stay healthy for an entire season, as he’s battled a numbered of injuries. Despite missing 3 games last season due to injury, Allen still caught 29 receptions for 395 receiving yards, including a tied for team-high 8 touchdown receptions.

When healthy, Allen is one of the most complete tight ends in football with his exceptional ability to both catch and block. He provides quarterback Andrew Luck with another dynamic offensive weapon and is one of the unsung heroes of the Colts prolific offense.

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