As the Indianapolis Colts gear up for their 2026 training camp, there's a buzz in the air. After a playoff drought since 2020, the team is looking to turn the tide with a roster brimming with potential.
The key? Keeping their stars, like cornerback Sauce Gardner, healthy and on the field.
The offseason brought its fair share of changes, with some familiar faces like Zaire Franklin and nickelback Kenny Moore departing. Franklin has found a new home with the Green Bay Packers, a team with playoff aspirations of their own.
Quarterback Daniel Jones finds himself at a crossroads. He secured a lucrative deal, but it's a short-term commitment with a potential out after just one year. The pressure is on for Jones to bounce back strong and prove he's worth the investment.
Winners from the Colts' 2026 Offseason
Safety A.J. Haulcy
Drafted in the third round, A.J. Haulcy has quickly become the talk of the town.
Despite being somewhat overshadowed by second-round pick CJ Allen, Haulcy has impressed coaches and teammates alike. With a clear path to a starting role, thanks to the team's decision not to re-sign Nick Cross, Haulcy's ball-hawking skills could be exactly what the Colts need to bolster their defense.
Wide Receiver Alec Pierce
Alec Pierce might be recovering from ankle surgery, but his offseason was nothing short of triumphant.
Re-signed to a four-year deal worth up to $116 million, the Colts are banking on his explosive playmaking abilities. With Michael Pittman now with the Steelers, Pierce is poised to become a primary target in the Colts' offense, setting the stage for a potentially career-defining season.
Right Tackle Jalen Travis
Jalen Travis is ready to step up.
After showing promise as a rookie, the Colts' decision not to draft a high-profile offensive tackle and to let Braden Smith walk in free agency has paved the way for Travis to shine at right tackle. If he lives up to expectations, Travis could solidify the position for years to come, providing stability to the offensive line.
Losers from the Colts' 2026 Offseason
Cornerback Kenny Moore
Kenny Moore's offseason didn't go as planned.
After requesting a trade, he found himself released instead. Now a free agent, Moore is on the hunt for a new team.
Ironically, the Colts, with a healthier roster, could be contenders in the AFC South, leaving Moore to watch from the sidelines as they chase success.
Quarterback Riley Leonard
Riley Leonard's path to becoming the Colts' QB2 hit a snag.
With Anthony Richardson still on the roster and taking significant reps in minicamp, Leonard remains stuck in the QB3 spot. Despite showing promise in his start against the Texans, Leonard's future with the team remains uncertain, especially with Richardson's potential departure looming.
As the Colts head into training camp, the stage is set for a season filled with promise and potential. With the right moves and a bit of luck, Indianapolis could be on the verge of a playoff resurgence.
In Other News...
NFL Voice Says What Colts Fans Never Wanted To Hear About Franklin
Zaire Franklin spent years as one of the most familiar faces in the middle of the Colts defense, but the conversation around him has shifted from leadership and production to whether his best days in coverage are behind him. The concern is rooted in the passing game, where his numbers have trended in the wrong direction over recent seasons, including a 109.3 passer rating allowed in 2025, a mark that only deepens the sense that opponents have found a way to attack him through the air.
For Indianapolis, the timing matters because the defense may already have its next answers on the roster. CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher were brought in as recent draft picks who could eventually give the Colts more range and better tackling at inside linebacker, with Boettcher drawing attention for his coverage work at Oregon. Whether that means a cleaner fit in 2026 and beyond is part of the intrigue, especially as Franklins future has already taken him elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Rumor Could Force A Much Bigger Offensive Decision
The Colts receiver picture already looks unfinished after the Michael Pittman Jr. trade, and it could become a bigger offseason talking point if Alec Pierce is not ready when the season opens. Pierce is coming back from ankle surgery, leaving Indianapolis thin at a spot that already needs answers, especially as the team tries to give its offense more stability around Anthony Richardson.
That is why a recent rumor has drawn attention well beyond the wideout room. A Bleacher Report piece linked the Colts to a possible move for a San Francisco pass catcher, but the larger issue may be what it would cost and whether Indianapolis wants to make its biggest offensive decision around quarterback value instead of just adding help at receiver. If that route feels too steep, veteran names such as Keenan Allen or Deebo Samuel could still be part of the conversation as the Colts look for a more practical fix. [Read more 🡒]
Charvarius Ward Sends Colts Fans A Warning About The Sauce Duo
The Colts are headed into the new season with one of the leagues most intriguing cornerback pairings, and the appeal is obvious. Charvarius Ward and Sauce Gardner bring the kind of rsum that gives a defense real credibility, with both players carrying All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition, and Indianapolis is expecting them to spend far more time on the field together after last years brief overlap.
Wards message to Colts fans is less about hype than timing. He has stressed that the pairing only showed a glimpse of what it can become because injury interrupted the partnership so early, and the real test now is whether the two can build the continuity needed to make the defense look the way the Colts envisioned when they put this duo together. [Read more 🡒]