The Indianapolis Colts made a bold move at the trade deadline, hoping to elevate a team trending toward being very good this season to greatness. Cornerback Sauce Gardner didn't come cheaply from the New York Jets, though, and he will be expensive into the future as well. This is going to affect other decisions.
While Gardner's cap hit in 2026 isn't awful, NFL teams don't base contract talks on only one season most of the time. Good players need to be under contract for several years, of course, which helps a team build consistency and ensure constant quality. The size of Gardner's deal on the backend is going to affect what Indianapolis wants to do in three years and beyond.
Couple that with the fact that the Colts have little choice but to re-sign quarterback Daniel Jones, and money gets tight. This might mean that longtime starter Braden Smith has to go. He is a free agent in 2026 and could be the most sought-after offensive tackle in free agency. That means he will be paid a lot.
Indianapolis Colts might not be able to afford Braden Smith in 2026 free agency
Indy might not have that kind of money. Plus, maybe the team shouldn't offer Smith a huge extension.
While the right tackle is still good, he is also trending toward having his worst season since 2019. He has allowed 24 total pressures, and only once since his second season in the league (Smith is now in his eighth year) has he allowed more. That was 30 in 2022, and he will likely surpass that this season.
He has also struggled more recently with run blocking. His run-block grade, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), in 2025 is 58.9, which is 55th in the NFL. His overall grade of 66.4 is 42nd.
Again, Braden Smith isn't a bad player currently, but he will turn 30 years old before the 2026 season. Offering a big deal to a player who might be trending toward diminishing returns, when other players have to be paid too, might be a mistake.
In 2027, the Indianapolis Colts' financial situation could worsen. After paying Jones and potentially wide receiver Alec Pierce in 2026, the team has to decide who to sign among a group that includes running back Jonathan Taylor, left guard Quenton Nelson, and wide receivers Michael Pittman and Josh Downs the following offseason.
Indy might simply need to start planning to find its next right tackle. While the Colts don't have a first-round pick (due to the Sauce Gardner trade) in 2026, a good right tackle could be available in round two. Let's hope so anyway.