NFL.com Expects Colts to 'Make Splash' in Free Agency
The Indianapolis Colts took care of their first order of business regarding NFL Free Agency on Tuesday when they placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman.
They waited until the last minute on Tuesday's 4 p.m. EST deadline before making the move. Pittman and the Colts are still working on a long-term deal, but there was no doubt the Colts would use the tag to buy more time if necessary.
The franchise tag on Pittman will cost the Colts $21.8 million in salary cap space for the 2024 season. A long-term deal could lower that initial cap hit, but even with that large number, the Colts still have $53 million in room under the cap according to Spotrac.
NFL.com's Jeffri Chadiha listed the Colts among five teams who must "make a splash in free agency this year." Even with Pittman tagged, the Colts still have the seventh-most available room and a rising team that missed the playoffs by one game in 2023.
"(Chris) Ballard plans on keeping free agent receiver Michael Pittman Jr., but don’t be surprised if the Colts add another wideout in either free agency or the draft," wrote Chadiha on NFL.com. "The Colts need more depth and explosiveness at that position, and a second-tier free agent like Marquise Brown or Gabe Davis could be an option. Ballard also needs to bolster one of the league’s worst defenses, and there could be help coming in the secondary and defensive line."
Kenny Moore and Grover Stewart are scheduled to be free agents next week. Even if the Colts bring them back, they're still looking for help on defense.
"Playing in the same division as C.J. Stroud and Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence also means the Colts need more juice in their pass rush," Chadiha continued. "They saw Jonathan Greenard in Houston enough to know he could be a viable option in that regard. Ballard knows his franchise needs to keep pace with the Jaguars and Texans, two young teams that won the AFC South in each of the last two seasons. A big offseason makes that possible for Indianapolis."
The Colts were in the playoff race until the final whistle of their Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans. Big things are expected from Anthony Richardson in his second year. Ballard has some holes to fill, but he has a lot of resources to work with this offseason.
The Colts should make a splash in free agency. Will they?
The contact period for free agency begins on March 11th at Noon EST. We won't have to wait long to find out.
