The Indianapolis Colts finished the season on Sunday and that means some players have played their last game in a Colts uniform.
After just four wins, 12 losses, one tie, two head coaches, and multiple quarterback changes, the season is finally over for the Indianapolis Colts. After being one of the most underwhelming teams in the NFL, the Colts have arrived at a much-needed offseason. If Indy uses the offseason effectively, the team will make the necessary personnel changes that will have Indianapolis in the playoffs this time next year. Much of the anticipation of the offseason is about possible additions but pieces that leave the team are also a huge factor.
While Indianapolis will be working to add a lot to the team, including a head coach, Indy will also be losing its fair share of pieces. With a new head coach being hired, it’s possible that the entire coaching staff could be replaced. From a player perspective, the Colts have 11 players set to be unrestricted free agents. Between the players that Indy won’t re-sign and the players that Indy decides to cut or trade, there will be quite a few names that won’t be returning to Indianapolis next season. Let’s take a look at three of those players.
3. Brandon Facyson shouldn’t be re-signed by the Colts
Brandon Facyson was signed by Indianapolis last offseason, and after a rough year, his stint with the team will likely be over. His signing made sense last year because of his history with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. Facyson had played under Bradley with the Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders. It only made sense that he followed him to Indy as well.
His experience in Bradley’s system gave him the upper hand in a training camp battle with Isaiah Rodgers. However, once the season started and Facyson and Rodgers were splitting snaps, it was immediately clear that Rodgers was the better corner of the two. However, Facyson was still getting more snaps early in the year. This led to fans making weekly complaints to start Isaiah Rodgers.
Eventually, Gus Bradley and the Colts got on board and started Rodgers. With both Rodgers and Stephon Gilmore under contract for next season, it seems unlikely that Indy would re-sign Facyson this offseason. Especially since he struggled in his one year with the team. If he does return, it will probably be on a team-friendly contract for depth purposes. However, fans would probably just prefer Indy goes in a different direction for depth at the corner spot.
2. Colts will move on from Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan will not be a free agent in 2023. In fact, Ryan has one season remaining on his contract and he is due just under $30 million. However, considering the fact that he was benched twice in his first season with the Colts, a sequel does not seem likely. It’s expected that Indianapolis will either cut Ryan or try to find a trade partner. A trade is unlikely though since Ryan is coming off the worst season of his career and he will soon turn 38 years old.
Ryan could retire, but in his first words, since the season ended, it doesn’t really seem like retirement is in his plans. He understands that part of the reason he didn’t have his best season is that Indianapolis didn’t provide him with the best circumstances. Ryan is hoping some other team understands that as well and gives him another chance.
Ryan on his future: "I still love playing. I think... obviously I'm not committed to anything, here, wherever. I gotta see how it shakes out (with the coaching search). But I still love playing. Honestly, I still like there’s a lot of good football in my body."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 9, 2023
Is it possible that Ryan could return in 2023 and serve as a bridge quarterback while Indy develops the rookie it is likely to draft? Ryan doesn’t even have to be a bridge quarterback. He could just be a veteran backup that helps the rookie develop and adjust to the NFL. A situation like that will make sense but it doesn’t seem like that’s something the Colts nor Ryan is really looking for.
Whatever the solution is, Ryan is unlikely to be in Indianapolis when next season kicks off. Where he will be is a mystery. He could be enjoying retirement or he could be preparing to play for another team. The offseason will reveal what’s next.
1. Colts won’t be able to re-sign Bobby Okereke
This will be a hard farewell for Indianapolis and the fans but Bobby Okereke isn’t returning to the Colts in 2023. Since arriving in Indianapolis in 2019, Okereke has thrived and has gotten better year after year, making himself one of the best linebackers in the NFL. He has been able to create one of the best linebacker groups in the league with Shaquille Leonard and Zaire Franklin. However, those same things are the reason Okereke has likely played his last game as a Colt.
With him becoming an unrestricted free agent this offseason after two great years as an inside linebacker, Okereke will have tremendous value. He’ll have a ton of suitors in free agency. Indianapolis probably isn’t going to be one of those suitors. In 2023, Indy will welcome a healthy Shaquille Leonard back into the lineup and Zaire Franklin, who is coming off a year where he just set a franchise record for most tackles in a single season, will be the other starting linebacker.
Ultimately, Franklin’s emergence opened the door for Okereke’s departure. It became clear that things were heading in that direction at this season’s trade deadline. It will become official once free agency starts. This is just the tough business part of the NFL manifesting because Okereke has done nothing wrong. He’s loved by the franchise and has balled out in his time as a full-time starter. But from a financial standpoint, it makes sense for Okereke and Indy to move on.
Franklin is under contract for two more seasons and is only due about $6.4 million over the final two years of his contract. Additionally, the Colts aren’t moving Leonard. Franklin, Leonard, and Okereke are all starting linebackers in this league and it’s unlikely that Okereke is going to take a reduced role and reduced salary to stay with the Colts. He’ll be suiting up in a different uniform next season.
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