The Indianapolis Colts must win by having a very good offense. The issue becomes when the offense struggles, the defense is unable to save the team. Maybe the scheme is the issue, or maybe Indianapolis simply doesn't have enough healthy bodies.
One of the key players who has been banged up this week is slot corner Kenny Moore II. He hurt his Achilles tendon in Week 3 and missed three games. The team survived his absence, but there is little doubt that Indy's defense is much better when he is on the field. Moore is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
He proved that not only can he cover well, but he isn't afraid to take on bigger ball-carriers (and stop them) in the Colts' Week 9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first half, after Pittsburgh had recovered a muffed punt by Indy, Moore not only crunched DK Metcalf short of the end zone, he did the same on the next play to huge tight end Darnell Washington.
Kenny Moore II is worth his entire $30 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts
Moore gets paid good money to play great coverage, though. Through Week 8, his quarterback rating allowed was 84.9, his best since 2019. He has allowed just one touchdown reception in 2025, but he also has an interception return for a touchdown and four passes broken up.
The question moving forward, though, is what the Indianapolis Colts want to do with his contract. Ahead of the 2024 season, Moore signed a three-year deal worth a maximum of $30 million. He will also be 32 years old next season. Moore has no guaranteed money on his contract in 2026, and his cap hit is $13,200,000.
That isn't an atrocious amount of money to spend on a very good cornerback, but for an aging slot corner, it may be. If the Indianapolis Colts release Kenny Moore II, the team would save $10 million. The problem is, would saving that much money still hurt the defense? Moore has shown himself to be good and someone the team needs.
The Colts might have lost an ugly game in Week 9, but the season has been far too successful so far to be upset by the team's second loss. The team is still capable of making the postseason and making a run once there. Kenny Moore II is a reason for that, and he will continue to be a good part of the team, however long he sticks around.