The Indianapolis Colts are heading into a pivotal offseason, and while they’re not exactly strapped for resources, they’re not flush with them either. With a middle-of-the-pack cap situation and no first-round draft pick in hand, Indy’s front office-led by GM Chris Ballard-is going to have to be both strategic and creative to keep this roster on the upswing.
That missing first-rounder? It’s essentially been turned into All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner, acquired from the Jets at the trade deadline.
Gardner’s presence changes the complexion of this defense, but the price was steep: two first-round picks. That kind of investment means Gardner needs to play like a foundational piece-and so far, he’s looked the part.
But while Gardner solidifies one side of the ball, the Colts face tough decisions elsewhere, especially in free agency. Quarterback Daniel Jones is expected back, and there’s optimism about getting something more out of him in Year Two with the team.
But wide receiver Alec Pierce is a question mark. He’s shown flashes, and his potential departure would leave a noticeable void in the receiving corps.
Safety Nick Cross, meanwhile, has been a steady presence in the secondary, but retaining him could be a financial challenge-especially if the Colts want to stay aggressive in keeping both Jones and Pierce.
If Cross walks, that opens up a major need at safety. Cross has been a full-time starter for the past two seasons, known for his tackling and run support.
That’s not the kind of production you can easily replace with someone already on the roster. Which brings us to the draft-and a name Colts fans should start getting familiar with: Dillon Thieneman.
Thieneman, a standout at Oregon, is drawing serious attention as a potential plug-and-play safety at the next level. NFL evaluators love his versatility, instincts, and ability to impact both the run game and pass coverage. And if the Colts are looking for a cost-effective, high-upside replacement for Cross, Thieneman checks a lot of boxes.
But there’s more to this story than just scheme fit.
Thieneman is an Indiana kid through and through. He played his high school ball at Westfield and started his college career at Purdue before transferring to Oregon. Now, with the draft on the horizon, there’s a chance he could return home to play for the Colts-a full-circle moment that would resonate both in the locker room and in the stands.
There’s something special about local talent suiting up for the home team. It’s not just a feel-good story-it’s a cultural fit.
These are players who understand the community, who’ve grown up with the franchise, and who carry a little extra pride when they step onto the field. Fans know them.
Families are in the stands. It creates a connection that goes deeper than just stats on a page.
For the Colts, Dillon Thieneman could be more than just a replacement for Nick Cross. He could be a long-term piece in a secondary that’s suddenly looking pretty dangerous with Gardner on one side and potentially Thieneman patrolling the back end. He could also be a hometown hero in the making-just when the Colts could use one.
There’s still a lot to sort out this offseason. But if Cross moves on, the path to Thieneman makes a lot of sense-on the field and off it.