The Indianapolis Colts might have traded four players with expiring contracts, but the moves shouldn't be done. Lots of them might happen next offseason before free agency and the 2027 draft.
While the team has more players whose deals are ending, Indy might have to give up on other players who are signed through next season. If the Colts want to go all-in on a true rebuild, some of those moves are a must.
Will next season be a fun one for Indy fans? Probably not, but a step back could mean several steps forward and a much brighter future. To make that happen, the players who follow might need to be welcomed back.
Indianapolis Colts players who might not be welcomed back in 2027
Daniel Jones
Jones is signed through 2027, but the team could release him and save $38 million. That's more than enough to add a veteran free agent like Jacoby Brissett, who can be a better bridge to the next long-term quarterback than Jones. Indianapolis needs to find a way to draft a potentially high-end QB.
This is especially true if Jones' biggest fan, Shane Steichen, is no longer the head coach of the team. Another coach would likely not put up with Jones' play in the first half of the season and would have benched him long ago.
Anthony Richardson
Richardson's issue has a lot to do with the above. He might have been given a chance to play in 2026 due to the starter being so awful, but he has sat on the bench except in one quarter when the Colts were being blown out. If Richardson didn't harbor any ill will toward Indy before this season, he should now.
He is a free agent next offseason, and it makes no sense for him to re-sign with Indianapolis. The team could lose both its top-two QBs if Jones is released to save money and further open the door to a full rebuild, but starting over at the position wouldn't be the wrong thing to do.
Grover Stewart
Still a fantastic run-stopper into his early 30s, Stewart would be a solid player to have back, but does he really help with a rebuild? Not really. He would be a terrific fit on a winning team, but in the final years of his career, he should want to play elsewhere.
A lot depends on how much he wants. His cap hit this season is a bit north of $14 million, and he shouldn't be re-signed for anything close to that. He's a good guy and a good player who deserves to find a winner in 2027.
Charvarius Ward
Ward is signed through 2027, but his cap hit next season is $24,666,667. Releasing him would save the Colts $18 million. A rebuilding team needs that kind of cash to roll over. If Indy drafts well and has lots of cash to spend on premium free agents, a rebuild would happen quickly.
Ward is also past 30 now, and he hasn't been great in 2026. In Week 9, he had a quarterback rating of 127.1 and gave up a touchdown. He will look better in Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins, but Miami is awful. The real test lies ahead for the rest of the season.
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