The Colts are staring at a tricky stretch as the season moves past six weeks, and the list of impending free agents already tells a pretty clear story. Some veterans are positioned to cash in.
Others are trending the other way. And with Chris Ballard out the door, Indianapolis has more uncertainty than answers as it weighs whether to push for a fix now or start dealing before some of its stars walk.
DeForest Buckner looks like the safest bet to get paid, even if that next deal comes somewhere other than Indianapolis. He has been one of the league’s most effective interior pass rushers this season and one of the few steady forces in Lou Anarumo’s defense, which has been described as sloppy and beatable.
At 33, Buckner is still playing at an elite level. He’s earning $23 million per year, and while few defensive tackles his age land that kind of money, he could still be in line for a similar payday over the next two or three seasons.
Quenton Nelson’s future is less settled. He did not work out an extension this offseason, and if the Colts head toward a rebuild, he may not want to stay in the middle of it.
Nelson remains the standard at left guard and is expected to reset the market at some point. He also could become Indianapolis’ best chance to bring back major draft capital, with the November 10 trade deadline looming and a first-round pick mentioned as the kind of return the Colts might chase.
Josh Downs, meanwhile, has not taken advantage of the opportunity in front of him. With Michael Pittman Jr. gone and Alec Pierce injured, he was supposed to anchor the receiver group.
Instead, he has been quiet enough to hurt his own price tag. Through six games, Downs has 24 catches for 289 yards and no touchdowns.
He still has time to change that, and the Colts could still make sense as a landing spot if the numbers work.
Grover Stewart is another name headed toward a complicated financial conversation. He has been inconsistent like much of the Colts’ defense, though his value as a run stuffer remains clear.
The issue is that he’s becoming more of a one-dimensional player while carrying an $11.47 million salary this season, part of the three-year, $39 million deal he signed in 2024. That means a pay cut may be waiting when his next contract discussion comes around.
In Other News...
Colts May Already Be Headed For Another QB Reset
Anthony Richardson is still the kind of player the Colts drafted him to be in theory, but the reality in Indianapolis has been much messier since Chris Ballard used the No. 4 pick on him in 2023. The front office took a big swing on Richardsons talent, and even now he remains part of the conversation around the franchises future, even as he has yet to lock down the kind of long-term hold on the job the team was hoping for.
For a Colts team that has already spent plenty of time searching for stability under center, the quarterback picture remains shaky heading into the years ahead. Daniel Jones is currently the starter, which only adds to the sense that Indianapolis may be looking at another reset before long, with Richardsons development still hanging over how the roster and the position will be viewed going forward. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Just Became Part Of The Colts' Biggest Decision
Chris Ballards firing changed the conversation around Jonathan Taylor almost immediately, because once a general manager goes out the door, every major roster decision suddenly feels up for review. For the Colts, that means the star running back is no longer just a centerpiece on offense. He has become part of the larger question about what comes next, and whether the new leadership wants to keep building around him or use the moment to reset.
Around the league, there is already plenty of interest in where Taylor might fit if Indianapolis decides to listen. Several clubs are being mentioned as potential landing spots based on their needs and current situations, which only adds to the pressure on the Colts to define their direction quickly. For now, there is no confirmed trade activity, but Taylors status is now tied to one of the biggest decisions the franchise has made in years. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Fans Have Every Right To Worry About The Sauce Gardner Trade
The Colts made their big swing for Sauce Gardner during the 2025 season, betting premium draft capital and a young receiver on a proven corner who could change the look of their defense. It was the kind of move that signaled urgency in Indianapolis, but it also came with the kind of risk that always follows blockbuster trades, especially when future picks are the price of admission.
That risk feels a little sharper now because Gardner has already missed time with a left calf issue, leaving Colts fans to wonder how much value the team is actually getting back from the deal. With Indianapolis having given up major draft capital, the trade has naturally fueled speculation about whether the front office could look for another path before the 2025 deadline if the fit does not start paying off soon. [Read more 🡒]