Notable Extensions Loom As Ballard and Colts Head Towards Offseason Programs

RB Jonathan Taylor

To some fans this is the single most important impending free agent on this team and some fans say it is not. Many believe that this is not a position we need to spend a lot of money on. With Anthony Richardson (more than likely) the Week 1 starter, having a reliable running back will be key to his growth. Taylor struggled last season with the regression of the offensive line and, in turn, forced him to a season ending ankle injury. Taylor has proved to be more than effective since he was drafted in the 2^nd round of the 2019 NFL Draft.  He won the rushing title and was an All -Pro in 2021 and if healthy he would have had his 3^rd consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. Taylor will need to be re-signed to help the growth of Richardson’s future. You can expect Taylor to sign a Top-5 RB deal and would not surprise me if he becomes the highest paid RB in the league.

WR Micheal Pittman Jr

As Richardson needs the security of a star RB, he also needs a reliable #1 WR. Many believe that Pittman is not a true #1 WR but he is the best that Indianapolis has now, and he has proved to be incredibly reliable. He has the production of a #1 WR but many believe he doesn’t possess the game changing ability of an AJ Brown or a Justin Jefferson. My argument is he never had a great QB that has thrown to him, this season will be imperative to see how he will mesh with the incoming rookie QB. He has shown progression in his stats every year since he was drafted in 2020, catching nearly 100 balls last season. It won’t be cheap since the price of a great receiver has gone up exponentially in the past few years with the importance of a #1 WR has grown. Expect the Colts to get a deal done before the season starts, especially since Pittman has made it known he wants to be here for the long term.

Michael Pittman Jr. last season:

– 99 receptions
– 925 Yards
– 9.3 YPC
– 4 TD’s

Do you expect these numbers to go up? Down? Stay the same? Let us know your thoughts! #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/l04ZMAsl2U

— The Blue Stable (@TheBlue_Stable) May 11, 2023

DT Grover Stewart

Stewart just had arguably his best season yet in Indianapolis and is primed to continue that this upcoming season. Having already secured his second contract in 2020, he is now primed for his third contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Stewart has worked alongside All-Pro DeForest Buckner now since his trade to Indianapolis in 2020. These two have not only been a leader in the locker room but also a leader off the field as well with philanthropic causes. Ballard’s core belief when building a football team is “building in the trenches.” Extending Stewart for another contract is expected by not only the franchise but by Grover himself.

Nickel Corner Kenny Moore II

Here is where we start having the difficult conversations about extensions. Moore asked for a new contract last offseason and was not given one. That expectation will most likely continue this offseason as we head towards OTAs. He is, without question, underpaid for his production at the current moment. The new Steichen regime is looking for a different type of secondary player. As shown with the draft picks of Julius Brents, Darius Rush and Jaylon Jones. All three have unique size and athleticism that has not been seen in this franchise for some time. Moore is a bit undersized, but the Gus Bradley scheme change from former Colts DC Matt Eberflus shows less reliance on the slot/nickel cornerback. I expect Moore to finish out the season (unless traded before) and test free agency next season.

Cornerback Isiah Rodgers Jr

Rodgers took a backseat in 2022 to Stephon Gilmore and Brandon Facyson as the 3^rd cornerback. Facyson headed back to Las Vegas this upcoming season, Rodgers has a very pivotal upcoming year. The front office has drafted 3 CBs in the draft to help replace Gilmore and Facyson. Rodgers showed moments of promise when he played. While a bit undersized for what Shane Steichen and Gus Bradley want, a solid season will keep him in the conversation for an extension, but the Steichen regime wants to go with taller and more purely athletic. Rodgers will need a standout season to gain an extension, but he is fully capable of achieving it.

Safety Julian Blackmon

A true question mark heading into this season. Blackmon was drafted by the Colts in the 3^rd round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has battled injuries most of his career and has filled in as a Nickel DB to cover when Kenny Moore was injured last season. Versatility is always useful for the recent injury plagued secondary that been cast on Indianapolis this past season. At 24 years of age, he is the oldest player on the roster that plays safety. He is a “Ballard Guy” but it will be seen if he is a Steichen guy this upcoming season.

RB Zack Moss

This one is a tough call for next season. He will undoubtedly be back this upcoming season. But when he was traded to Indianapolis from Buffalo it was expected for him to backup with Taylor in the lineup. Moss might like an opportunity to start in the next free agency block. He has proven himself a capable and reliable back even during his days in Buffalo when it was more of a committee in the backfield. Unless the franchise cannot get an extension done with current starter Jonathan Taylor, we should fully expect Moss to test free agency next season as this position was addressed in April’s draft with Northwestern RB Evan Hull, who will be a much cheaper price than Moss will command.