As the Colts gear up for a pivotal offseason, the front office is staring down a list of free agents that could reshape the roster heading into 2026. With the new league year kicking off on March 11, the clock is ticking on decisions that will define how Indianapolis builds around its current core. The team has a mix of high-impact starters, reliable role players, and aging veterans hitting the open market - and not everyone’s getting a second contract.
Let’s break it down by tiers - green (bring them back), yellow (could go either way), and red (time to move on) - and dive into what each player’s situation means for the Colts’ offseason strategy.
Green Light: Re-sign Priority Players
WR Alec Pierce (Age: 25)
Pierce gets top billing here, and for good reason.
He’s blossomed into a true vertical threat, the kind of receiver who can stretch a defense and flip field position in a heartbeat. But it’s not just the deep shots anymore - Pierce has rounded out his route tree and become more dependable in the short and intermediate game.
That kind of development at age 25 is exactly what you want to see. Whether it’s the franchise tag or a long-term deal, the Colts need to make sure he stays in Indy.
QB Daniel Jones (Age: 28)
Quarterbacks get a different kind of scrutiny - and a different kind of priority.
Jones’ career has had its ups and downs, and the Achilles injury adds a layer of uncertainty. But the Colts appear comfortable with where he’s at health-wise and are reportedly open to a multi-year deal.
Given the franchise’s carousel at quarterback in recent years, stability matters. Jones may not be elite, but he’s a known quantity - and in today’s NFL, that’s valuable.
DT Neville Gallimore (Age: 28)
Gallimore quietly played a key role in the defensive line rotation, stepping up for eight starts behind veterans Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner.
He’s not a game-changer, but he’s a steady presence who can plug gaps and hold his own in the trenches. With the starters aging, having a reliable rotational piece like Gallimore is a smart insurance policy.
TE Mo Alie-Cox (Age: 32)
Alie-Cox has transitioned into more of a blocking specialist, especially with the emergence of Tyler Warren.
But don’t overlook his durability - he’s played in 85 straight games, which is no small feat at a position as physical as tight end. If the Colts want to keep the tight end room balanced, bringing Alie-Cox back on a short-term deal makes sense.
Yellow Light: Situational Decisions
S Nick Cross (Age: 24)
Cross has grown into a solid starter, but the financial puzzle gets tricky here.
Cam Bynum is already locked in for three more years, and investing heavily in two safeties may not be the best allocation of resources. If Cross walks, the Colts will need to fill a starting spot - but it might be the price they pay to address more pressing needs elsewhere.
RT Braden Smith (Age: 29)
Smith has been a rock at right tackle for most of his eight-year run in Indy, but injuries (neck/concussion) cloud his future.
Rookie Jalen Travis showed promise filling in, and the Colts have already started transitioning at other O-line spots. Smith’s a Ballard-era success story, but this might be the right time for the team to hand the reins to a younger, cheaper option.
TE Drew Ogletree (Age: 27)
Ogletree could be viewed as a younger alternative to Alie-Cox, and the five-year age gap is worth noting.
But this doesn’t have to be an either-or situation. If both are willing to return on team-friendly deals, the Colts could keep continuity in the tight end room without breaking the bank.
LB Germaine Pratt (Age: 29)
Pratt was one of the more successful carryovers from Lou Anarumo’s previous stops, and he delivered a solid season.
But the Colts still need to upgrade parts of the front seven, and linebacker could be one of those areas. Pratt’s return should be on the table - just not at the expense of addressing other defensive needs.
DL Tyquan Lewis (Age: 31)
Lewis is a versatile depth piece who can slide across the line, but he’s also dealt with his fair share of injuries.
With three defensive ends headed for free agency, Lewis is probably the most likely to return - but only if the price is right. He’s a "nice to have," not a "need to have."
Red Light: Time to Move On
C Danny Pinter (Age: 29)
Pinter’s been hanging around on one-year deals, and while there’s nothing wrong with bringing him back again, it’s not a priority. The Colts have other interior linemen in the pipeline, and Pinter’s role is more break-glass-in-case-of-emergency than anything else.
DE Samson Ebukam (Age: 30)
Ebukam was a Ballard favorite, but injuries and age are starting to catch up.
Unless he’s willing to take a significant pay cut, he doesn’t fit the Colts’ offseason mantra of getting younger and faster. The edge room needs fresh legs - and fresh production.
DE Kwity Paye (Age: 27)
The Colts picked up Paye’s fifth-year option for 2025, but the pass rush just hasn’t materialized the way they hoped.
He sets the edge well in the run game, but that’s not enough when you’re looking for someone who can consistently get after the quarterback. It’s time to look for new blood on the edge.
DT Eric Johnson II (Age: 27)
Johnson was already cut once before being brought back, and he spent time as a healthy scratch in 2025. With Gallimore ahead of him on the depth chart and more upside elsewhere, Johnson’s time in Indy is likely coming to an end.
Final Thoughts
The Colts are at a crossroads this offseason. With a mix of rising talent, aging veterans, and tough financial decisions ahead, how they handle this free agent class will say a lot about the direction of the franchise. Expect the team to prioritize continuity at key positions - especially quarterback and wide receiver - while using this offseason to inject youth and speed into spots like edge rusher and offensive line.
March 11 is coming fast. The decisions made between now and then will shape not just the 2026 season, but the next phase of the Colts’ identity.