The Indianapolis Colts have once again kept quiet following the start of the legal tampering period, which has pretty much been business as usual for Chris Ballard ever since he took over the general manager reins four years ago.
While there’s something to be said for being conservative with your cap space, however, there comes a time when being overly patient becomes detrimental to team success.
For example, like when your roster is on the precipice of being able to compete for a championship.
That’s precisely where the Colts fall after not making any moves over the first three days of the tampering period, during which a truckload of quality players have come off the board.
We’ll know soon enough when the official start of free agency changes lights a fire under them.
Nevertheless, in light of Indianapolis’ continued silence, we really can’t help but wonder why the likes of linebacker Darius Leonard and right guard Quenton Nelson haven’t signed extensions yet?
Colts All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard's payday is coming soon.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 4, 2021
In fact, I'd argue it's already here.
My story on the decisions facing the Colts and how to handle their young star's contract extension: https://t.co/JGrukaRyMl
Where are the Colts’ extensions for Darius Leonard and Quenton Nelson?
After surmising that the Colts would be one of the most aggressive teams in free agency, it was brought to light just a few days before the annual sweepstakes got underway that they might not have as much money to spend as we previously thought given their plans to sign some in-house stars to contract extensions.
While that was a tough pill to swallow for fans, the majority of them understood that getting franchise cornerstones like Leonard, Nelson and right tackle Braden Smith locked up long term would be just as valuable in terms of maximizing their championship window.
Exercising patience early on in free agency is one thing, but not doing something as black and white as extending homegrown superstars is problematic on multiple fronts, especially when you have ample cap space at your disposal and multiple contenders (like the Buccaneers, Patriots, 49ers and Titans) have all improved thus far.
The Colts are still hesitating in free agency, and it lost them Trent Williams.https://t.co/9BKuij2tLn
— Horseshoe Heroes (@HorseshoeHeroes) March 17, 2021
Don’t be surprised if more teams are added to that list in the next 24 hours. And if the Colts continue this conscientious, wait-and-see approach while also failing to lock up any of their current stars to lucrative extensions during the next wave of signings, then fans in Indianapolis would be fully justified pressing the panic button.
There’s just no reason for Ballard and Co. to be this inactive when the roster is seemingly a couple of statement moves away from becoming a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The 51-year-old GM deserves the benefit of the doubt, but we are definitely starting to grow a little impatient.
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