The Indianapolis Colts are going to be better than a lot of pundits think in 2025. Sure, the quarterback situation is still fairly unknown, but the overall roster is sound. Should the offensive line hold up, things might be peachy.
But how quickly might general manager Chris Ballard change his mind about a promising season for the team? Should Daniel Jones start poorly, and Anthony Richardson play as he has the last two years, Indy could lose ground quickly. Possibly enough for Ballard to start selling off parts of the team.
One of those could be defensive end Kwity Paye. The 2021 first-round pick has been a good player for Indy, with back-to-back seasons of eight sacks. He's been even better against the run, and he has stayed mostly healthy. In the last two seasons, he has missed a total of three games.
One NFL analyst projects the Indianapolis Colts could trade Kwity Paye
That makes him a prime trade candidate if the season begins to go south quickly. This year is Paye's last under his rookie contract, and the Colts haven't yet aggressively pursued an extension. Better than losing him in free agency in 2026, Ballard might try to make a move with Pity to get the team something in return for the potential loss.
In a recent Bleacher Report article, Moe Moton, one of the nicest guys in sports journalism, writes that the Washington Commanders could call about Kwity Paye's services. To get Paye and a seventh-round pick, the Commanders would send the Colts a 2026 third-round selection and a 2027 fifth-round choice.
Should that be enough to get Paye? Maybe. The Colts do have a very good defensive line, but it's not one of the youngest in the league. Paye could be a featured member of the unit for much of the next decade. Giving him up for a third-round choice, in essence, seems like too little. Perhaps a second-rounder would be better.
After all, Paye will only be 27 when the 2026 season begins, so he should have a number of years to play at a high level. A third-round choice should be a starter, but maybe not a star. A fifth-rounder is just a gamble.
Moton writes, "Indianapolis may not be willing to give Paye a new contract before he tests free agency next offseason. If rookie second-rounder JT Tuimoloau shows flashes this year, the Colts may listen to offers for Paye. Washington has the cap space flexibility to acquire and sign him to an extension."
There is certainly logic to that. Instead, though, the Indianapolis Colts should just pay Kwity Paye. He has proven to be the kind of player every team needs. Don't let him go now.