According to the Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder, the Indianapolis Colts are not expected to tender restricted free agents: defensive lineman Zach Kerr and inside linebacker Josh McNary by Thursday’s 4 PM EST deadline:
"“Restricted free agent defensive tackle Zach Kerr hasn’t yet been tendered an offer by the team and, according to an NFL source, indications are he won’t be tendered at all,” writes Holder. “On a related note, the Colts have decided they will not tender an offer to another restricted free agent, linebacker Josh McNary, per another source.”"
Of course, it means that both players will immediately become unrestricted free agents if the deadline passes without a tender offer by the Colts respectively.
Regarding Kerr, the 6’2″, 334 pound former undrafted free agent from Delaware has flashed potential as a young rotational defensive lineman, but hasn’t flashed it consistently on the field enough.
He appeared in 12 games for the Colts this past season, recording 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
The 26 year old defensive lineman has appeared in 36 games (8 starts) for the Colts over the past three seasons–finishing with 64 tackles, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and 2 passes defensed.
Meanwhile, McNary was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Colts in 2013.
He appeared in 16 games (3 starts) for Indianapolis this past season, recording 23 tackles and a forced fumble.
In McNary’s 4 years with the Colts, the 6’0″, 251 pound inside linebacker appeared in 49 games, having 79 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
The 28 year old inside linebacker made 3 starts for the Colts right before midseason, but was eventually benched before completely falling out of the inside linebacker rotation in favor of younger players such as Antonio Morrison and Edwin Jackson.
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Not tendering either player isn’t exactly an earth-shattering move by the Colts, as each defensive player primarily played as backups and on special teams.
Nevertheless, both Kerr and McNary have made spot starts for the Colts in recent seasons and from that perspective, the Colts are losing some of the youthful depth that the team has heavily relied upon in recent seasons.