The Colts’ season has gone so far off script that even the front office shakeup feels like part of a bigger collapse. Shane Steichen has survived for now, but Chris Ballard did not, with the general manager losing his job after years of underperformance. And with the November 10 trade deadline approaching, Indianapolis has already acted like a seller.
That puts the spotlight on what comes next, especially with several important players headed toward free agency. After Week 7, the Colts’ list of 2027 free agents comes with a different kind of urgency, and a few names stand out more than others.
Grover Stewart may be the clearest beneficiary of the current situation. With DeForest Buckner gone, Stewart is now being asked to carry much more of the load up front.
He may not be used to that level of responsibility, but the extra snaps could work in his favor, especially in a contract year. Stewart isn’t a superstar, and defensive tackles don’t often land major deals after turning 33.
Still, if he finishes strong without Buckner next to him, there’s a real chance he plays his way into another contract.
Anthony Richardson is a much murkier case. It’s difficult to picture him returning to Indianapolis if he can’t even get on the field to challenge Daniel Jones in the current setup.
But that doesn’t mean his NFL path ends there. Once he reaches free agency, there should be interest from multiple teams.
Without the burden of a big extension tied to his first-round status, a team can afford to be patient and develop him. The arm strength, the athletic traits and the age are still there, and that will buy him another chance.
Keenan Allen, meanwhile, has been one of the more disappointing additions. He has simply not been a major factor, which is a tough look even if age explains some of it.
The wait to find a new team was long, and his connection to Shane Steichen is part of why he ended up in Indianapolis in the first place. But a return next season feels unlikely.
There’s even a chance he never signs another contract before that one-day deal he needs to retire as a Charger.
In Other News...
Shane Steichen Suddenly Faces A Colts Situation He May Not Survive
The Colts have already spent the week ripping up the old order, starting with the firing of Chris Ballard and then the stunning departures of Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson and All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Shane Steichen didnt try to minimize what those losses mean, acknowledging the value of both veterans while also pointing to the younger players now being asked to absorb a much bigger role in a hurry.
For Steichen, the challenge is no longer just replacing talent on the field. With speculation already swirling around possible moves involving Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs, the roster feels like it is still in motion, and so does the coachs own standing. The Colts are suddenly in a place where every decision carries extra weight, and Steichens future may hinge on how well the next wave of players handles the pressure. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Finally Get A Needed Boost In A Very Strange Week 8
For a Colts team that has spent a strange week sorting through injuries, lineup shuffling and the fallout from a pair of major trades, there was at least some clarity heading into Week 8. Shane Steichen said cornerback Sauce Gardner and tight end Tyler Warren will be available against the Jaguars, giving Indianapolis a needed boost on both sides of the ball as it tries to steady itself after parting with DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson.
The availability report still leaves the roster in a mixed state, though, with Anthony Gould and Justin Walley ruled out because of injuries. Add in the uncertainty around players such as Josh Downs and Jonathan Taylor, who were not played in a week when trade considerations seemed to be part of the backdrop, and the Colts are still navigating a very unusual stretch even with a couple of key names set to return. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Just Sent A Stark Message With The Quenton Nelson Trade
Quenton Nelsons move from Indianapolis to Seattle marked the kind of roster shift that can land with a thud in a locker room, especially when it involves a player who became part of the fabric of the franchise. For the Colts, trading away a cornerstone talent sent a clear message about where things stand, and for Nelson it closed a chapter that had been built over time in Indianapolis before opening a new one with the Seahawks.
Nelson said the transition has been bittersweet, which fits the reality of leaving behind a place where he had deep ties, even as he welcomed the chance to start fresh in Seattle. Hes not looking far beyond the current season just yet, keeping his focus on preparing for the games ahead while the broader questions about what comes next remain on hold. [Read more 🡒]