Braden Smith has been a fixture on the Indianapolis Colts' offensive line for nearly a decade, and even as he enters his 30s, there’s a strong case to be made that he’s still got plenty of quality football left in him.
The veteran right tackle has weathered his share of adversity-injuries, a concussion, and even a mental health journey-but through it all, he’s remained a steady presence on the edge of the Colts' offensive front. This past season, Smith started 13 games before being placed on injured reserve following a concussion and neck injury sustained in Week 14. But when he was on the field, the tape-and the numbers-told the story of a player still performing at a high level.
Over the last three seasons, Smith has quietly been one of the more reliable pass protectors in the league. His 72.0 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets ranks him among the top 25 qualifying tackles, per PFF.
That’s not just solid-it’s the kind of consistency that offensive coordinators and quarterbacks alike value immensely. Even more impressive?
Smith has allowed just five sacks on 1,151 pass-blocking sets during that span, ranking sixth in sack percentage. That’s elite company for a right tackle.
Yes, his run-blocking grade took a dip this past season, but don’t let that overshadow the bigger picture. His positively graded run-block rate over the past three years still lands him in the 82nd percentile among his peers. That’s a strong indicator that, despite some recent bumps, Smith remains a capable contributor in the ground game.
In 2025, Smith played on a restructured one-year, $10.52 million deal, and while his overall PFF grade (65.3) slotted him 50th out of 89 qualifying offensive tackles, he still allowed just one sack and 26 total pressures across 471 pass-blocking snaps. That kind of efficiency is hard to find, especially at one of the most critical positions on the line.
The Colts now face a pivotal decision. Do they bring Smith back on another short-term deal-potentially at a reduced rate-or do they hand the reins to Jalen Travis, the promising fourth-round rookie who filled in admirably late in the season?
Travis showed real potential in relief duty, and with the team already making a similar transition last offseason by moving on from longtime center Ryan Kelly, it wouldn’t be shocking to see them lean into youth again. But there’s also something to be said for continuity, especially with a roster that’s trying to build on early-season success and navigate a tight salary cap situation.
The Colts have other pressing internal free agents to consider, including quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce. That makes Smith’s future even more interesting. If the front office believes they can keep him on a team-friendly deal, it might make sense to bring him back as a stabilizing force-while still keeping Travis in the wings as a high-upside backup or potential long-term starter.
At the end of the day, Smith isn’t just a name on the depth chart-he’s been a tone-setter for this offensive line. Whether that continues in a Colts uniform or not remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: he’s still got game, and the decision ahead could have ripple effects on the entire offense.