The Indianapolis Colts are just over a week away from the start of free agency, and there are some big decisions to make when it comes to the players set to hit the market.
Expected to have roughly 14 unrestricted free agents set to hit the market this offseason, the Colts won’t be able to bring all of them back. In fact, it’s likely that most of them find a new home in 2024.
The team’s current standing with the salary cap is among the strongest the NFL.
We took a look at the players the Colts should let walk into free agency and the players who should be re-signed this offseason.
Now, it’s time to predict the fate of every pending free agent for the Colts in 2024.
WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Prediction: Re-signs or franchise tagged before free agency
General manager Chris Ballard made it clear Pittman is going to be with the Colts in 2024. Whether that’s on the franchise tag or a contract extension isn’t clear, but he won’t be hitting the market.
DT Grover Stewart
Prediction: Re-signs before free agency
The Colts know just how vital Stewart is to the defense and with no clear upgrades in either free agency or the draft, it’s likely he returns on a short-term deal.
CB Kenny Moore II
Prediction: Re-signed after testing free agency
This is one of the more difficult scenarios to predict. There is mutual interest to see more return, but it also seems like the Colts are going to let him test the market. When it’s all said and done, Moore returns on a short-term deal.
S Julian Blackmon
Prediction: Signs elsewhere in free agency
It’s truly a wonder what will happen with Blackmon. There’s certainly a case for him to return, but it isn’t clear where the team stands on his value. One of the big four are likely to sign elsewhere, and I think the Colts will prioritize Pittman, Stewart and Moore ahead of Blackmon.
QB Gardner Minshew
Prediction: Signs elsewhere in free agency
After starting the majority of the season following Anthony Richardson’s injury, Minshew is probably looking for fringe starter money. Plenty of teams need a player like him, and there’s a good chance the Colts are outpriced for their backup quarterback.
RB Zack Moss
Prediction: Re-signs after testing free agency
The running back market is extremely diluted and while Moss is likely to hit free agency, there is a long list of players likely ahead of him looking to get paid. Moss will test the waters but eventually will come back on a one-year deal.
DE Tyquan Lewis
Prediction: Signs elsewhere in free agency
The Colts should try to re-sign Lewis after his fantastic 2023 season, but there’s likely a team willing to pay more for his services.
P Rigoberto Sanchez
Prediction: Re-signs before free agency
Sanchez was clearly still working his way back from the Achilles injury that claimed his 2022 season. Still, he showed enough in 2023 to be re-signed on a short-term deal.
DT Taven Bryan
Prediction: Signs elsewhere in free agency
Bryan struggled to make much of an impact as a rotational piece along the interior defensive line.
WR Isaiah McKenzie
Prediction: Signs elsewhere in free agency
After struggling to make a viable impact on both special teams and as a depth piece at wide receiver—and then finishing the season with a team-imposed suspension—McKenzie is likely to find a new home in 2024.
S Ronnie Harrison Jr.
Prediction: Signs elsewhere in free agency
Harrison showed a lot of promise as a hybrid safety/linebacker type so while it wouldn’t be a surprise if he returns, he seems poised to test the market.
G Danny Pinter
Prediction: Re-signs after testing free agency
Pinter is still recovering from a torn ACL that claimed his 2023 season. He’s far from a priority, but the Colts have liked him in the past.
DE Jacob Martin
Prediction: Signs elsewhere in free agency
Martin was solid as a rotational edge piece, which could lead to him getting a nice little pay raise in free agency.
DE Genard Avery
Prediction: Signs elsewhere in free agency
Avery’s season was lost due to a torn ACL he suffered during training camp.
