The offseason mistakes that led to the Colts 2022 downfall
By Brad Marr
The Indianapolis Colts had an offseason full of player movement but some moves were ultimately more detrimental than beneficial.
Going into the 2022 NFL offseason, it was clear that changes needed to be made to the Indianapolis Colts roster, and so began some of the most unorthodox string of moves the franchise has seen. After the final regular season game in 2021, Colts owner Jim Irsay made it profoundly clear the disappointment would no longer be what represents the franchise. Management was to take an “All in” approach to the 2022 season.
Here we are 14 weeks in at the bye week and none of that came to fruition. Instead, the Colts have since fired head coach Frank Reich, hired an inexperienced former player and close friend of Irsay to lead Indy through the remainder of the year, and sit with a record of 4-8-1 after a blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
Before we get into the demise of what was supposed to be a competitive Colts roster, there were some legitimately solid moves made before the season started.
What the Colts did well in the offseason
Replacing Matt Eberflus was no easy task, but Gus Bradley has filled the role prosperously. Until Week 13, Indianapolis hadn’t allowed more than 30 points to any team all season. The Colts feature a top-five passing defense and are just out of the top 10 for scoring defense.
Trading away Rock Ya-Sin, a 2018 draft pick that never seemed to catch on, for a solidified defensive end to bolster the defensive pass rush in Yannick Ngakoue was an excellent move. Yannick has carried over from Gus Bradley’s defense in Las Vegas, to Indy with a team high 8.5 sacks this season.
Free agency acquisition Stephon Gilmore is playing like he hasn’t skipped a beat since winning NFL DPOY in 2018. Gilly Lock has been the Colts best cornerback by far, and quite possibly the best free agent pick up in recent years of the Chris Ballard era.
Finally, the 2022 NFL draft should highlight the finale of the great offseason moves by the Colts. Although Indy was without a first-round pick, Chris Ballard and co. surely hit on some great prospects. Alec Pierce, Bernhard Raimann, Nick Cross and Jelani Woods are all catching on, and making their mark for this team. Making the future a bright one.
Now, what we’re all dreading, the bad of the 2022 Colts offseason.