The Indianapolis Colts will soon begin 2026 training camp as the team hopefully prepares to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The team has good talent on the roster, and Indy just needs those talented players, such as cornerback Sauce Gardner, to stay healthier.
The offseason, though, certainly saw some changes for the team. Longtime starters Zaire Franklin and nickelback Kenny Moore have left. One of those was among the losers of the offseason. That isn't Franklin, though. He's now with the Green Bay Packers, a potential playoff team.
Daniel Jones is among the winners or losers of the team's offseason, either. He got paid a new deal for a bunch of money, but only for two years. The team also has an out after the first year. Jones needs to come back healthy and good to earn the second season.
Winners from the Indianapolis Colts 2026 offseason
Safety A.J. Haulcy
Haulcy was the team's third-round pick in 2026, and while he might have been slightly overshadowed by second-round choice CJ Allen, who could be the green dot on defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's unit, the coaching staff and fellow players can't stop raving about the rookie safety.
Haulcy also has a clear path to starting immediately. The team wisely chose not to re-sign free agent Nick Cross, who was good against the run but far worse against the pass. Meanwhile, Haulcy could be the ball-hawk that Indy needs on the backend of its defense.
Wide receiver Alec Pierce
Pierce hasn't been able to practice yet after having ankle surgery after the season. Colts fans have a right to be nervous about the wideout's availability throughout the coming season. But no one won more in Indianapolis's offseason than Pierce.
First, he was re-signed to a four-year deal worth as much as $116 million. The team trusts his elite explosiveness, along with more catches, will translate into a massively productive season, followed by three more of the same.
Indy also traded Michael Pittman to the Pittsburgh Steelers. All of Pittman's targets have to go somewhere, and Pierce could get the majority of them. He not only got paid, but he is also going to see the ball a lot more moving forward.
Right tackle Jalen Travis
After being a fourth-round pick in 2025 and doing quite well in spot starting duty as a rookie, the team didn't take an offensive tackle high in the 2026 draft and let longtime starter Braden Smith leave in free agency. This opened a clear path for Travis to take over at right tackle.
If he is as good as hoped, the team would be set at the position for at least three more years and at relatively cheap expense. For the player, he has three seasons to cement his status, and when he hits free agency in 2029, he will get paid a lot of money. His level of success will definitely impact how good the offense is overall.
Losers from the Indianapolis Colts 2026 offseason
Cornerback Kenny Moore
Moore, like Anthony Richardson, requested a trade this offseason. Nothing materialized, however. The issue is that Moore is still pretty good in coverage, but teams might not want a player soon to be 31 years old and has no positional flexibility. Seemingly not aware that he might not get paid this coming season, he then asked for his release, and the team granted that wish.
Now, Moore is looking for a new team as a free agent. The irony is that while he hopes to sign with a winner, that team could actually be the Indianapolis Colts. With better health, Indy could make a run at the AFC South title and a run to the Super Bowl. Moore will simply be watching that all unfold.
Quarterback Riley Leonard
Leonard appeared to have a path to being QB2 for the Colts after Anthony Richardson requested a trade. Instead, like with Moore, no trade came to be, and Richardson is still on the roster. Even worse for Leonard, in organized team activities and minicamp, Richardson was getting a lot of the QB1 reps with starter Daniel Jones being limited due to working his way back from injury.
How head coach Shane Steichen can see Richardson as having any real chance at backing up Jones while Leonard potentially stays at QB3 is a mystery. Leonard was good in Week 18 against the Houston Texans when he finally got a chance to start.
He also has three seasons left on his deal, while Richardson could be gone next offseason at the latest. The team must have trust issues with Leonard.
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