Monday marked the start of the NFL’s window for teams to start negotiations with fresh, unrestricted free agents. The Indianapolis Colts had a busy day to ensure that their own players stayed in the organization.
The Colts extended linebacker Zaire Franklin, who had one year left on his current contract, and re-signed defensive tackle Grover Stewart, defensive end Tyquan Lewis, and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to multi-year contracts.
The Colts should start showing greater interest in outside prospects over the next few days, even though they will still be working to bring back their own players.
The Colts need someone besides Sam Ehlinger to cover for Anthony Richardson, especially considering Richardson missed the most of his first season due to a shoulder injury. Minshew is departing for Las Vegas. If Richardson were to miss any more time, there are still enough of experienced veterans like Ryan Tannehill, Marcus Mariota, Drew Lock, Carson Wentz, Tyler Huntley, Joe Flacco, and Josh Dobbs who could help keep the ship afloat.
If the Colts hadn’t re-signed Stewart, it would have been disastrous, much like bringing back Pittman. They can now concentrate on putting some excellent depth behind him and DeForest Buckner. Bryan performed admirably as Buckner’s backup, but he struggled to take over Stewart’s one-tech position. Adetomiwa Adebawore is a young, inexperienced player, and Eric Johnson hasn’t yet demonstrated enough to be considered safe on the team. The opposition knows they can target the middle of the Colts’ run defense when Stewart or Buckner leave the field.
The Colts deliberately selected young secondary players in the previous offseason. Nevertheless, they had no way of knowing that free safety Rodney Thomas II would regress and that they would have to contend with injuries to cornerbacks Dallis Flowers and JuJu Brents. Although Moore and Blackmon, the team’s most dependable defensive backs, are free agents, they are still essential to the secondary’s performance (Moore has since been re-signed). Moore ought to be the top priority, and it would also be prudent to have Blackmon return. Still, the Colts could use another cornerback who can start and even with possible returns. The Colts need to get someone in addition to Nick Cross and Thomas if Blackmon departs.
