There appear to be a number of top tier players who could be available this offseason for trade. However, the Indianapolis Colts are not in a position currently to be acquiring those players.
So far this offseason, star pass rusher Myles Garrett has requested a trade from Cleveland. On Sunday, it was reported by Adam Schefter that 49ers’ receiver Deebo Samuel has been granted permission to find a trade partner.
Also on Sunday, Ian Rapoport reported that the “long-term futures” of pass rushers Maxx Crosby and Micah Parsons are also up in the air at this time.
Would any of those players just mentioned make the Colts better? Of course they would. But also, the Colts aren’t one player away from being a contender either.
Following an 8-9 season in 2024, which was the fourth straight year that the Colts missed the playoffs and it also became the 10th consecutive year that Indianapolis didn’t win the AFC South, GM Chris Ballard was honest in his assessment of the team during his end of season press conference.
“Right now, we’re not close,” Ballard said. “I’m going to make this really clear. Close is losing on the last play of the Super Bowl. That’s close. Going 8-9, that’s not close. No, I’m not saying we won’t be closer when we get to the start of [next] season. But right now, sitting here today, we’re an 8-9 football team. We’ve got to own that.”
Ballard would admit that how he constructed the roster in 2024 was a “mistake.” While he banked on continuity being a catalyst for the Colts to take a big step forward following a 9-8 season in 2023, the team would instead regress.
DeForest Buckner would mention “ego” as one of the issues on the defensive side of the ball. Ballard would use the word “complacent” when discussing the roster.
To overcome that, the emphasis this offseason will be on competition and infusing that element throughout the team. As you look at this Colts roster, just about every position group could use an addition or two in that regard with the hope that it elevates the floor and play of each unit.
So for a Colts team that has work to do, parting with premium draft capital doesn’t make much sense when this team needs more than just one position addressed–even if it is with a really good player.
In addition to that, not only would the Colts be sending away a top flight draft pick or two to make an addition, but there is the salary cap impact as well of bringing on a hefty contract that would likely require an extension.
That is then going to limit what the Colts can do elsewhere in free agency. As of now, the Colts have a modest amount of cap spacing, ranking 18th with just over $28 million in salary cap room, according to Over the Cap.
While it’s a fun thought, the Colts are not close enough to contending where a trade of that magnitude would put them over the top and losing out on high draft picks and cap space would limit their ability to address other position groups when there is a need throughout most of the roster.
