Colts: 3 potential cap casualties that could get dumped to increase spending
By Jerry Trotta
1. Jack Doyle
Jack Doyle’s contract makes him a real candidate to be cut this offseason.
Given his valiant service to the Colts over the last eight seasons, fans would absolutely hate to see tight tend Jack Doyle’s tenure end via release. However, if Indianapolis ends up spending as much money as we think they’re going to, he could end up biting the bullet in the name of preserving cap space.
That $69 million figure might look desirable, but it could drop significantly by the time free agency gets underway if certain players — like linebacker Darius Leonard, for instance — were to ink extensions. This would potentially leave the Colts stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to choosing between making a marquee signing or keeping a beloved veteran like Doyle around for another season.
If it comes down to that, Indy must have a cutthroat mindset. After all, Doyle will account for a $5.78 million cap hit (the sixth-highest on the team) next season. That’s not a crippling number by any stretch, but the fact that his deal comes with just $1.5 million in dead money would pretty much give the Colts no other choice but to cut him.
Doyle’s production has simply tailed off too much over the last three years to justify keeping him around instead of signing somebody in free agency or just moving forward with Mo Alie-Cox. During that span, he’s averaged a lousy 30.6 receptions for 314.6 yards and three touchdowns. The injuries are also starting to pile up for the 30-year-old, as he’s been shelved in two of those three seasons.
If it comes down to keeping Doyle or saving $4.28 million that could be used to land a player that would fill a position of need, the Colts should no doubt take the latter. Fans have been calling for them to draft a tight end in recent years, and cutting Doyle would give them the perfect excuse to do just that in the middle rounds.
