The Colts didn’t spend a lot of money in free agency in the offseason. While it might have frustrated fans, there is a method to Chris Ballard’s madness.
The Colts have plenty of money that they could still be spending on free agents. They had the most money going into the offseason in the NFL. They ended up not using a lot of it, only really spending it on two guys. They have decided to leave the rest of their money in their pocket.
But there is a reason for that, and it’s actually a pretty good one. Spending all of this money now would leave them with very little flexibility in the future. They wouldn’t have enough money to pay all of the young players they have now who have performed well.
That would mean no money to pay Quenton Nelson or Darius Leonard or even Andrew Luck once his deal runs out. They wouldn’t be able to afford all of their young talent that they have done such a good job of drafting. Having that cap flexibility allows them to retain those guys down the line.
By using this philosophy, Chris Ballard has allowed the team to do this. Keeping their left over money will help out now and and down the line. Using the money they have on select players allows them to improve in the present and keep them good in the future.
Fans need to understand this. A lot of people have been frustrated with the lack of spending. But I think people really respect what Ballard has done drafting wise, and they will love him even more if he can retain the guys he’s brought in.