The Indianapolis Colts improved from 4-12-1 a season ago to 9-8. While they didn’t make the postseason, the progress made in just one year is clear. Now, Indy must build on that progress so that the team is even better next season. In order to do that, the Colts need another strong draft and free agency.
Indianapolis is projected to have $72 million in cap space this offseason, the fourth-most in the NFL. However, it’s unlikely that Indy will use that cap space to bring in some new big-name players. The majority of that money will likely be allocated to re-signing some of the team’s core veterans. With guys like Michael Pittman Jr., Grover Stewart, Julian Blackmon, and Kenny Moore II all set to enter free agency, this will be a big offseason for the future of the franchise.
Recently, PFF ranked the top 100 pending free agents and also projected their next contract. The Colts were represented on the list five times, thanks to Pittman, Moore, Blackmon, Stewart, and Gardner Minshew.
What kind of contracts will Colts’ free agents receive?
Pittman was ranked the highest on the list, coming in at No. 11. Brad Spielberger compared Pittman’s upcoming free agency to Allen Robinson’s free agency in 2022. As far as the kind of contract Pittman will get, Spielberger predicted that Michael Pittman Jr. is franchise-tagged.
Next on the list was Kenny Moore II, ranked at 41. He was compared to Buster Skrine in 2019 free agency. Moore’s contract projection was a two-year deal worth $13.5 million. That’s less than the projection for the next Colts player on the list, Grover Stewart. Stewart was ranked at No. 51 and was compared to Terrance Knighton in 2016. Stewart was projected to receive a three-year deal worth $30 million.
Next on the list, at No. 66, is Julian Blackmon. The young safety, who has been good when on the field, was compared to Jayron Kearse in 2022. Blackmon was projected a land a two-year deal worth $11.5 million.
The last Colts player on the list is Gardner Minshew at 91. The backup quarterback definitely secured a market for himself after stepping in as the starter for the majority of the season. Minshew was compared to Brian Hoyer in 2015 and Minshew’s contract projection was a two-year deal worth $17.5 million.
All five guys have important roles with the team and the Colts will certainly want them back. It’ll be interesting to see if that happens and if it can be accomplished with PFF’s projected numbers.
The Colts nearly made the playoffs in their first season with Shane Steichen as head coach, and you can make sure this offseason starts with a win thanks to BetMGM. Just sign up, deposit $10 or more and then bet $5 or more on any NFL Wild Card Playoff game. You'll win $158 in bonus bets, win or lose! Sign up with BetMGM today.