The Indianapolis Colts are desperately trying to make the playoffs in 2026 to likely save the jobs of general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen. What is ironic is that some players don't seem to believe that Indy is capable of a postseason run.
One of those was linebacker Zaire Franklin, and he was traded this offseason. Another is cornerback Kenny Moore II, who is still with the team but has requested a trade. He is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, and wants to try to win a title before he retires. He seemingly doesn't think that can happen with the Colts.
Moore made his request at least a week ago, and so far, nothing has happened. This might mean a worst-case scenario is about to happen between the player and the team.
Indianapolis Colts might be stuck with slot cornerback Kenny Moore
If Moore is going to be dealt, it makes sense to do it before the NFL draft so that Indy can use the draft capital it gains from the move. If a trade doesn't happen before or during the draft, Moore could be stuck with Indianapolis.
No one wants that to occur. The final solution could be for Indy to simply release Moore since he doesn't want to be part of the team. This would force the nickelback into free agency, and almost certainly with less income than he would have made had he stayed on the Colts' roster.
Of course, his contract might be one reason Chris Ballard hasn't found a trade partner for Moore. His cap hit is $13.11 million, but a team adding him would be on the hook for nearly half of that. Many teams might view that as too much for a slot corner who will be 31 years old at the start of next season.
Moore is still a good player, but teams might think they can find a player of similar quality for much less. The Indianapolis Colts also shouldn't have to work a trade involving Kenny Moore that has the team eating most of his contract simply to deal him. It was the player who requested the trade, after all.
A good possibility exists that the Colts enter next season with two players who don't want to be in Indianapolis anymore, Moore and quarterback Anthony Richardson. That is obviously not the way to build a good culture for a team struggling to make the postseason. The locker room could certainly be impacted if Richardson and Moore aren't moved.
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