AFC South Offseason Buzz: Colts Face Key Free Agent Decisions, Jaguars Eye Offensive Balance, Titans Add to Coaching Staff
As the NFL offseason heats up, the AFC South is already buzzing with roster decisions, coaching moves, and a clear sense of urgency from teams looking to take the next step. Let’s break down what’s happening across the division, starting with the Colts and their looming free agency decisions.
Colts: Key Free Agents and Coaching Carousel Moves
The Colts have some pivotal choices to make this offseason, with a handful of contributors set to hit the open market. At the top of that list is quarterback Daniel Jones, whose future in Indianapolis seems to be trending toward a return in 2026.
While earlier projections had Jones in line for a deal similar to the three-year, $100.5 million contract signed by Seahawks QB Sam Darnold, his season-ending Achilles injury is expected to impact those numbers. Still, the Colts appear committed to giving him another shot as their starter.
Wide receiver Alec Pierce comes in as the No. 2 priority and is projected to command $20.2 million per year on the open market. That’s a significant payday for a player who’s shown flashes of big-play ability, and it puts Indianapolis in a spot where they’ll need to weigh long-term value against cap flexibility. If they see Pierce as a core piece of their offense moving forward, they’ll need to pay up.
On the defensive side, safety Nick Cross is projected to earn $6.1 million annually. That’s a manageable number, but if the Colts decide to let him walk, they’ll need to pivot quickly-either by finding a budget-friendly veteran in free agency or targeting a replacement in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cross has shown enough range and toughness to warrant a second contract, but the front office will need to determine how he fits into their evolving defensive identity.
Defensive tackle Neville Gallimore seems like a no-brainer to bring back. With a projected salary of just $2.2 million per year, he offers solid rotational value at a bargain price.
The same goes for tight end Mo Alie-Cox, whose projected salary sits at that same $2.2 million mark. For a team that uses multiple tight end sets and values size in the red zone, keeping Alie-Cox in the fold should be an easy decision.
Off the field, the Colts’ coaching staff is also seeing some changes. Wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne announced that Brian Bratton, who previously worked as an offensive quality control coach in Indy, is heading to Stanford to coach wideouts.
Meanwhile, the defensive line room is expected to get a new voice, with Marion Hobby, a former Tennessee defensive analyst, reportedly set to join the Colts as their new DL coach. Hobby brings a wealth of experience, and his addition should help bolster a unit that’s shown flashes but needs more consistency in 2026.
Jaguars: Coen Focused on Offensive Balance, Defensive Pressure
Down in Jacksonville, new head coach Liam Coen is already setting the tone for what he wants to build. After watching his team fall short of a Super Bowl appearance, Coen pointed to a lack of offensive balance as a key area for improvement.
“Being able to be balanced throughout the entire season,” Coen said, is going to be critical. Early in the year, the run game carried the load.
As the season wore on, the passing game took over. That kind of imbalance caught up with them in the playoffs, especially in the loss to the Bills, where the offense couldn’t quite put it all together.
Coen’s message is clear: to compete with the league’s elite, you need to fire on all cylinders-not just in September, but when it matters most in January.
Defensively, Coen highlighted two areas that need immediate attention: limiting explosive plays on third down and generating more consistent pressure on the quarterback. That’s not just coach-speak-it’s a direct response to the breakdowns that plagued Jacksonville late in the year. If the Jaguars want to take the next step, those third-down stops and quarterback hits have to become regular occurrences, not exceptions.
Titans: Saleh Brings in Dave Borgonzi as LB Coach
In Tennessee, head coach Robert Saleh continues to shape his staff, and he’s bringing in a familiar name to lead the linebackers: Dave Borgonzi, formerly with the Cowboys. Per reports, Borgonzi was one of eight candidates for the job, and his hiring suggests a focus on discipline and fundamentals at the second level.
Borgonzi has a strong reputation for developing young talent, and with the Titans likely to rely on a mix of veterans and up-and-comers at linebacker in 2026, his presence could be a key piece of their defensive puzzle.
Final Word
The AFC South is in a state of transition-each team with its own set of challenges and opportunities. The Colts are juggling contract decisions that could define their roster for years.
The Jaguars are trying to turn potential into postseason success. And the Titans are building a new identity under Saleh, one coach at a time.
The offseason is just getting started, but the groundwork is already being laid. And in a division where the margins are razor-thin, every move matters.