In a recent press meeting, Indianapolis Colts’ rooting safety, Julian Blackmon, granted crucial insight about the ongoing 2024 offseason for NFL safeties.
He drew parallels to the 2023 offseason struggles that pitted numerous running backs in a similarly precarious position.
Having completed a standout year with the Indianapolis Colts during 2023, Blackmon expected a fitting compensation to match his contributions.
The third-round pick, however, settled for a one-year deal potentially worth $7.7 million with his existing team.
“I feel like my value is worth more than one year. But unfortunately, we all witnessed how the market played out. It was what I was dealt. I’m content with how it concluded,” he expressed to Indy reporters.
Julian Blackmon likens '24 offseason for safeties to '23 offseason for running backs: "It's a one-year deal, and for me, I feel like my value is worth more than one year, but unfortunately, we all saw how the market went."https://t.co/d14VcumPvk pic.twitter.com/SmGjqlHaOr
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 10, 2024
The one-year deal, though falling short of Blackmon’s expectations, enables him to return to the Colts, a system he knows well, under revered coach Gus Bradley.
Blackmon remains hopeful of delivering his best ever season, despite the stark absence of long-term security.
“This was home. This is the place where it started, and this is the place I want to finish if I can,” he said. “Everybody knows how free agency went this year for safeties. We just wanted to be patient with the whole process, and we were able to come up with something that everybody was happy with.”
Other stars, such as Justin Simmons, Eddie Jackson, Quandre Diggs, Micah Hyde, Jamal Adams, among others, currently remain unsigned.
Blackmon was fortunate to have secured a spot before the commencement of offseason workouts.
“I think it was something similar to how it was for the running backs a year ago.” “It just kind of shows you that you’ve got to be prepared for anything. It’s one of those things where you can never truly say that you’ve got it. Especially when there’s so much talent in the NFL. For me, it’s just one of those things where I just tried to take it for what it was. It was a unique situation, especially going into my first free agency.”
