2018 Colts Free Agent Decisions: Defensive Back Darius Butler

Darius Butler has been a staple of the Colts’ secondary for years, but his contract is up after this season and it’s not a guarantee that he returns to Indianapolis.

Darius Butler has been with the Colts since 2012. He began his tenure in Indianapolis with three straight playoff appearances as a defensive back that could play almost every position in the secondary.

General manager Chris Ballard decided to give Butler a one-year $3 million extension this offseason to bring him back to Indianapolis for 2017. He’s provided some veteran leadership for a very inexperienced Colts secondary, and he’s been forced to play a lot this year with all of the injuries on the back end of the Indianapolis defense.

Butler has broken up 4 passes with 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery this season, but his level of play has definitely dropped off a bit in his ninth NFL season at 31 years of age. However, his value moving forward would mostly lie in the meeting rooms and practice field as his experience in the league would help the development of young defensive backs like Malik Hooker and Quincy Wilson.

The best-case scenario for the Colts would probably be to bring back Darius Butler on another one-year deal this offseason. Indianapolis doesn’t have much depth in their secondary at the moment, and having a reliable backup like Butler would help stabilize the defensive backfield.

Next: Colts Head Coaching Search Wish List: Dave Toub

He would likely have to take a pay cut from his $3 million contract in 2018, but he may be willing to take a bit of a discount to stay in Indianapolis for the seventh consecutive season.

Here are some other free agents who will create some tough decisions this offseason:

More from Horseshoe Heroes

Home/Colts Free Agency