Free agency-wise, it's been an active couple of years for the Colts. NFL rosters typically have tons of turnover, but ever since bringing in new head coach Shane Steichen before the 2023 season, Indianapolis has been as aggressive as anyone in re-shaping the roster for the system that Steichen was looking to implement.
Some of the bigger names in recent Colts' history have gone elsewhere, and while there are a few proverbial ones that got away, Indy's generally done a good job of making smart roster decisions over the last couple years.
Here's who we wish would have stuck around, and who we're glad to see playing on other teams.
3 former Colts players we’re glad are gone
1. Gardner Minshew
To his credit, Minshew filled in admirably when rookie QB Anthony Richardson went down with season-ending shoulder surgery early in the year. Minshew went 7-6 over the 13 games he started for Indianapolis, throwing for over 3000 yards and 15 touchdowns.
It was the most games he ever started, and as far as backup QB play is concerned, he generally did what he was asked to do. But with Richardson reportedly ahead of schedule to return, and the QB market being what it is, bringing Minshew back on the same deal that the Raiders gave him was never going to happen.
The Colts can find a servicable backup that won't cost $25 million.
2. Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue had a pretty good season with the Colts, all things considered. He had 9.5 sacks (after having 10 in the season before with the Raiders), 16 QB hits and one forced fumble, which were pretty much in line with the best seasons of his career. But the production fell off a cliff when he moved on to Chicago, where he only registered four sacks in 13 games with the Bears.
He'll be 29 when next seasons starts, so he may have a few good – or at least better – seasons left in him, but right now it looks like the Colts were smart to go in a different direction.