Breaking: Eight Colts could have their contracts extended this offseason
The Indianapolis Colts have been a team willing to offer contract extensions to players who they believe have earned them ever since Chris Ballard became general manager.
For the Colts, who narrowly missed the playoffs last season, this is a big offseason as they look to build a contender for the postseason. Two methods to accomplish this will be to offer contract extensions to players who are already under contract and to resign some pending free agents to new deals.
Regarding contract extensions, we are considering two different perspectives. First up are unsigned free agents who, in our opinion, have a chance to sign a multiyear contract before the start of the new league year in March.
Players entering the last year of their current contracts are included in the other. When players have one year left on their current contracts before that final season arrives, Ballard has been known to give extensions in the past. Theoretically, these transactions would take place in the summer, following the conclusion of free agency and the NFL draft in 2024.
To be honest, we’re aiming fairly broadly here. Not every player listed below will sign a new contract in the offseason. Actually, most of them most likely won’t. However, if there’s a remote possibility that they could, we’ll present the case for why it might.
The following eight Colts, who are currently under contract, have the opportunity to extend their deal in the 2024 offseason:
1 WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Contract expiration date: 2024
A deal with Pittman is arguably the Colts’ top priority at the moment. It will be costly, probably costing more than $20 million a year. Still, it’s essential. Pittman has led and shown toughness from an increasingly valuable position, and he has been nothing but productive. The current expectation is that a deal will be reached, provided that negotiations do not proceed in the same manner as Jonathan Taylor’s.
2 DTGrover Stewart,
Contract expiration date: 2024
Although Stewart will be turning 31 this offseason, defensive tackles, particularly run defenders, are still in their prime. During his six-game suspension this season, his value was greater than it has ever been. The Colts gave up 4.7 yards per carry and 153 rushing yards per game to opposing offenses in those six games he missed. The defense gave up 3.7 yards per carry and 107.9 rushing yards per game in the games when Stewart was playing. This offseason, finding his replacement ought to be top priority, but it wouldn’t be shocking if he signed a two-year contract.
3 S. Julian Blackmon
Contract expiration date: 2024
This one is a little difficult. In his new position as Gus Bradley’s strong safety, Blackmon truly flourished. He had an impact on run support as well as coverage. However, the history of injuries is lengthy. The college-level ACL and Achilles tears have already been dealt with by the fourth-year safety. He has never played a complete season of games, and his 2023 season was cut short by a shoulder injury sustained in the last month of the season. Given Blackmon’s extraordinary talent and the Colts’ dire need at safety, a two-year contract wouldn’t be shocking.
4 Base Kenny Moore II
Contract expiration date: 2024
Moore, who had two years left on his contract at the time, attempted to execute a soft holdout prior to the 2022 season. The Colts made it obvious that they were rejecting that idea. Then, in his first season under Gus Bradley, the star slot defender had a great deal of difficulty. But conversations took place, and attitudes were adjusted for 2023. Moore returned to his All-Pro level of performance, providing the Colts’ secondary with much-needed lift. Moore is now a well-known free agent for the upcoming season. It’s possible that the two sides will reach a new agreement because the Colts have the cap space to offer another contract.
5 LB Franklin Zaire
Contract expiration date: 2025
Now that we have our first player signed for the upcoming campaign, the Colts might want to reevaluate Franklin’s contract. Franklin’s representatives will probably inform the front office that the production is simply not worth the price. With his current contract, he makes $3.3 million annually, which is 41st among NFL linebackers. For the last two seasons combined, Franklin has ranked second in the NFL in both tackles (346) and solo tackles (209). The Colts restructuring wouldn’t come as a surprise.
6 DT DeForest Buckner,
Contract expiration date: 2025
The Colts defense has relied on Buckner as its engine since acquiring him with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, which they acquired through trade. He still has one year left on his contract, so it’s possible that the two parties will decide to wait until the following offseason. Even though it’s less likely to occur, it wouldn’t be shocking if his current contract were extended by one or two years.
7 DE Kwity Paye
2025 is when the contract expires (2026 if the option is exercised).
Paye’s fifth-year team option as a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft is approaching. By exercising that option, which would keep him under contract through the 2025 season, the Colts would be obligated to make a decision by May 3. Although it would be more likely to happen next offseason, he is eligible for an extension this offseason, and there’s a slim chance the Colts want to get ahead of a potential new deal before a true breakout occurs.
8 DE Dayo Odeyingbo,
Contract expiration date: 2025
Odeyingbo has recorded 11.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and 21 quarterback hits in his last 21 games. He’s continuing to improve every season and unlike the aforementioned Paye, Odeyingbo will be a free agent next offseason. It wouldn’t be shocking if he signed a new contract this summer, as the Colts would like to get ahead of this contract before a potential blowout in 2024.
