One easy thing that can cure a football team's ills in terms of not making the playoffs annually, such as the case with the Indianapolis Colts, is to add more talent. Good coaching is obviously important, too, of course, but a coach can only do so much without great players.
Assuming the team brings quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce back (or, at least, Jones), the offense should be good. Head coach Shane Steichen had that side of the ball humming in the first half of the season until injuries and an upgrade in competition took a toll. As Indy plays a third-place schedule in 2026, all should be fine in terms of matchups.
It is the defense that should be the main concern for general manager Chris Ballard. To be sure, Ballard has to make the playoffs next season, r should be let go. If he goes, Steichen probably goes, too. But adding defensive talent, especially at linebacker, could save both their jobs.
Steelers' Patrick Queen should be a trade target for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason
One potential option for a linebacker upgrade was floated recently by Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine. The writer believes Indy could make a play for the Pittsburgh Steelers' Patrick Queen. The move would be costly, but the Colts should be able to afford it.
Queen was a Second-Team All-Pro with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and left in free agency to sign with Pittsburgh. He was a Pro Bowler in 2024, but regressed a bit this season. He might have simply been in a bad scheme for him with the Steelers, though.
He allowed 11.4 yards per completion, a career-high, and missed 12.4 percent of his tackle attempts, his highest total since 2021. Both numbers were likely outliers, though, as he has been much better in both areas in previous seasons.
Patrick Queen is signed through 2026, and his cap hit in 2026 is $17,193,334. The Pittsburgh Steelers could trade him and save $13.3 million, so there is a financial incentive for Pittsburgh to move on from him.
The Indianapolis Colts simply have to get better at inside linebacker, though. Zaire Franklin is a team leader, but he is terrible in pass coverage and is coming off his most underwhelming season in years. Even if he stays, the team needs to find a partner for him. No one on the roster currently should be a real option. Patrick Queen should be, and it might only take a mid-round draft pick to get him.