2018 Colts Free Agent Decisions: Running Back Frank Gore
By Andrew Ites
Frank Gore’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season. That will create a difficult decision for both Gore and the Colts regarding whether he will return to Indianapolis.
Frank Gore signed a three-year $12 million contract with the Colts ahead of the 2015 season after spending the first 10 years of his career in San Francisco.
Gore expected to compete for his first Super Bowl ring after joining a team that had just reached the AFC Championship Game in 2014. Instead, the Colts have failed to make the playoffs in each of Gore’s three seasons in Indianapolis.
The future Hall of Famer’s personal success has also dwindled during his time with the Colts. He’s averaged under 4 yards per carry three years in a row after averaging 4+ yards per attempt in each the first 10 years of his career.
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General manager Chris Ballard seemed to be focus on finding Gore’s replacement by drafting Marlon Mack last offseason. Mack hasn’t overtaken Gore as the team’s lead running back yet this season, but he’s shown enough flashes of potential for the front office to be confident that he can be the guy going forward.
However, the Colts don’t have a ton of depth at the running back position. Robert Turbin, Josh Ferguson, and Matt Jones round out the rest of the running backs on the roster. Going into 2018 with those players behind Mack on the depth chart would put a lot of the load on a second-year tailback.
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Even if the Colts want to bring Gore back, he may be looking to move on for another chance at winning a Super Bowl. I think it may be better for both Gore and the team to go their separate ways at the end of this season.