The Indianapolis Colts are facing their final game of the 2025 in Week 18 against the Houston Texans. The offseason will bring many questions that need bold answers. Will Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen still be around in 2026? Which free agents should be brought back?
The team has no bigger free agent question than quarterback Daniel Jones. He played for only $14 million this season, and he exceeded expectations until his season ended due to an Achilles tendon tear. He might not be able to come back by Week 1 next season.
Indianapolis also might need to rebuild nearly entire position groups, such as edge rusher. That's not necessarily a bad thing. While many edge rushers are free agents, they have underwhelmed. Indy could use this opportunity to upgrade the group.
Full list of Indianapolis Colts free agents this coming offseason
Quarterback Philip Rivers
- Age: 44
- 2025 cap hit: $228,888
Rivers is one of the best stories of the NFL season, but he was never meant to be a long-term option for the Colts. He stepped in to try to help save the season and couldn't. It wasn't all his fault, but his physical skills have diminished so much that he shouldn't continue.
Quarterback Daniel Jones
- Age: 28
- 2025 cap hit: $14.5 million
After tearing his Achilles tendon in Week 14, Jones's start to 2026 is in doubt. The hope is that he can make it back by training camp, but he also could miss several games. Indianapolis almost has to have him back after trading two first-round draft picks for Sauce Gardner, but Jones has also now had three seasons cut short with injury. The Colts shouldn't overspend.
Running back Ameer Abdullah
- Age: 32
- 2025 cap hit: $686,664
More of a kick returner than a running back, his age is going to work against him. His value is high, though, and if he comes back at the veteran minimum, that would be fine.
Running back Salvon Ahmed
- Age: 27
- 2025 cap hit: $598,820
Ahmed hasn't played a game in the NFL since 2023. He might return only as a member of the practice squad.
Wide receiver Alec Pierce
- Age: 25
- 2025 cap hit: $4.1 million
One of the biggest questions the Indianapolis Colts have to ask themselves this coming offseason is how much money to offer Pierce to stay. He could garner as much as $20 million a year elsewhere, and he might have a chance at more productivity in a different offensive system too. He needs to come back, but at what cost?
Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell
- Age: 30
- 2025 cap hit: $515,000
Treadwell seems as if he should have stopped playing years ago, but he keeps hanging around. He is one of those players who will make a play every few game where fans say, "Laquon Treadwell sighting." He played in six games and 31 total snaps this year, so there is no need for him to return.
Tight end Mo Alie-Cox
- Age: 32
- 2025 cap hit: $1.5 million
No other Indy tight end is much of a threat to catch passes. Only rookie Tyler Warren is going to do that. The other TEs on the roster are there to block and play special teams. The good part is they aren't overpaid. At least Alie-Cox, who caught 10 passes this season, knows Shane Steichen's scheme.
Tight end Andrew Ogletree
- Age: 27
- 2025 cap hit: $1.1 million
See above, except that Ogletree had just four receptions.
Center Danny Pinter
- Age: 29
- 2025 cap hit: $1.3 million
At the price of his contract, Pinter is worthy keeping around as a backup. He started in Week 17 for a concussed Tanor Bortolini, and Pinter allowed just one quarterback pressure against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Right tackle Braden Smith
- Age: 29
- 2025 cap hit: $10.4 million
Smith's issue is that rookie Jalen Travis has played in Smith's place in three of the last four games heading into Week 18, and Travis has been pretty good. For a team that needs to find the money to re-sign Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, Smith might be a budget cut, and Travis becomes the long-term starting right tackle.
Defensive tackle Neville Gallimore
- Age: 28
- 2025 cap hit: $1.2 million
Gallimore is supposed to be a good run defender, but is more productive as a pass rusher. He isn't overly great at that, either. Still, if he comes back at around his current cap hit, he is worth the money.
Defensive lineman Eric Johnson
- Age: 27
- 2025 cap hit: $1.1 million
See above. Johnson doesn't offer much more than Gallimore, but he's cheap.
Edge rusher Kwity Paye
- Age: 27
- 2025 cap hit: $13.4 million
Paye chose a poor time to not be very productive. Perhaps, he is just a bad fit in Lou Anarumo's defensive system. He only had four sacks this season, wasn't good against the run, and was well overpaid. The truth is, Indy simply needs to rebuild its edge rusher group. Only Laiatu Latu has done pretty well.
Edge rusher Samson Ebukam
- Age: 30
- 2025 cap hit: $10.5 million
Ebukam's age and lack of production are reason enough not to bring him back, especially at $10 million a season. As with Paye and the player that follows here, Ebukam should be allowed to leave, and the team should look for an upgrade.
Edge rusher Tyquan Lewis
- Age: 30
- 2025 cap hit: $7 million
Lewis was once capable of more, but that might no longer be the case. The Colts should just get younger and hope that general manager Chris Ballard (assuming he is still around) can figure out a way to be better at choosing edge rushers.
Linebacker Germaine Pratt
- Age: 29
- 2025 cap hit: $1.5 million
Depending on the price, Pratt might return simply because Lou Anarumo is familiar with him. Still, the player is extremely inconsistent and poor in coverage. The team could find a comparable player cheaper if Pratt wants too much.
Linebacker Jacob Phillips
- Age: 26
- 2025 cap hit: $573,820
Phillips is a project, if anything. If he is no longer on the roster, the team doesn't lose anything.
Cornerback Chris Lammons
- Age: 29
- 2025 cap hit: $801,108
It's too bad Lammons seemingly cannot stay healthy (he's been on injured reserve with a foot injury) because he might be pretty good otherwise. His quarterback rating allowed this season was only 40.2 in four games. Partly, though, his issue is that should the Colts have better luck with injuries next season, the cornerback group is set with Kenny Moore, Sauce Gardner, and Charvarius Ward.
Safety Nick Cross
- Age: 24
- 2025 cap hit: $3.6 million
Cross wasn't quite as good in coverage this season compared to his previous four years, but he was still good in run support. At 24 years old and with a lot of starting experience, he might be priced out of Indianapolis. Most likely, some team will outbid Indy.
Safety Rodney Thomas
- Age: 27
- 2025 cap hit: $1.1 million
Thomas rarely sees the field on defense, but he's solid on special teams. At $1 million, he'd be a smart re-sign to help in the third phase of the game.
Safety George Odum
- Age: 32
- 2025 cap hit: $343,332
Odum won't be back.
Restricted free agents (Colts can match what another team offers):
- Running back Tyler Goodson
- Wide receiver DJ Montgomery
- Linebacker Segun Olubi
- Linebacker Buddy Johnson
None of these players produced very much this season, but the team might keep them in hopes they can elevate their games or be helpful on special teams. Goodson might be a keeper just from running back depth.
Exclusive rights free agents (Colts can choose to keep or let go)
- Offensive tackle Luke Tenuta
- Linebacker Austin Ajiake
- Cornerback Cameron Mitchell
- Kicker Blake Grupe
Tenuta, Mitchell, and Grupe are probably all around in 2026. Grupe has been terrific after replacing Michael Badgley. Spencer Shrader might be healthy enough to return next season after hurting his knee this year, but Grupe has the stronger leg.