Which Colts players deserve contract extensions?
By Noah Compton
The Indianapolis Colts have several players entering the final year of their contracts. Indy must decide which players deserve an extension.
The Indianapolis Colts have clearly entered a new phase when it comes to roster construction. In recent memory, general manager Chris Ballard has put together teams that have had contention potential, at least in terms of divisional contention, but now, the organization is in a rebuilding stage that first and foremost requires an established continuity at the quarterback position.
As far as the rest of the roster goes, there are several key players at pivotal positions who are set for new contracts in the near future (2024). We will take a look at each of those players and determine whether or not they 1. are worth retaining and 2. fit the overall timeline of this current Colts team.
The current state of the Colts dwells well for the 2024 free agents
Since 2020, the Colts’ front office has allocated a good chunk of its payroll toward the QB position. More specifically, they have been amongst the top of the league, at least top 10, in that time when it comes to cap dollars allocation for one position. This factoid alone shows that Ballard and Co. have hindered themselves in regards to roster construction as one of the 53 rostered is responsible for a majority of the team’s salary cap makeup.
This isn’t meant to rehash fresh wounds, but more so, to shed light as to why a rookie QB entering the equation provides much more than a soft reset at the league’s most important position. It shows that quarterbacks on their rookie deals are prime examples of how to maximize a team’s potential.
When you look at young QBs exploding into stardom amidst their rookie contracts (i.e., Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts), you are almost presented with a direct correlation as to how, despite their youth and overall lack of experience, these teams are making trips to the Super Bowl. These teams are essentially gifted with the additional salary cap to work with due to their most expensive position being handicapped by rookie salaries.
This is still a piece on the Colts’ impending free agents of 2024, but I figured it was necessary to provide insight as to how the current state of the Colts’ roster, as well as its assumed next step in acquiring a quarterback in the upcoming draft, is set up to retain some of its more important players come negotiation time.
So, without further ado, let’s get into it.