3 Indianapolis Colts who won't be back after season-ending loss to Texans

3 Indianapolis Colts who won’t be back after season-ending loss to Texans

The Colts came close to clinching a playoff berth on Saturday night against CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans. Despite being down rookie QB Anthony Richardson for the final half of the season, Gardner Minshew and the Colts remained in the AFC South race for most the season. When the Jaguars faltered late, the Colts and Texans took advantage.

With the season now behind them, unfortunately some Colts will not be able to stay with the team due to budgetary concerns. Indianapolis has a litany of high-profile free agents, and a good number of them are expected to leave. However, the core of Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson are set to lead the offense the next few years. The Colts will be an exciting team to watch in 2024, with or without the players on this list.

3. Colts are unlikely to bring back Zack Moss

I know exactly how valuable Zack Moss was for the Colts this season, especially as Taylor sat out the start of the season and suffered a few injuries along the way. However, when he’s healthy, Taylor is one of the best running backs in football. Moss proved this year he’s worthy of a starting job somewhere, and the Colts are unlikely to pay for two starting-caliber backs, let alone the salary Taylor wants long term.

Moss will land a job somewhere. He’s solid enough to start for most teams, or at least receive half the carries. In Taylor’s absence this year, he was a top-10 fantasy running back, and his production in the passing game cannot be understated.

That said, running backs are a dime a dozen, and if the Colts are committed to Taylor for the next year or so, they can draft a ball-carrier to replace Moss who doesn’t require as much of a financial commitment.

2. Colts are at risk of losing Michael Pittman

Michael Pittman Jr. is set to be a free agent after this season. The Colts have a few options with Pittman, the first and best of which is to sign him to an extension. Pittman Jr. is young enough to develop into the No. 1 wide receiver Anthony Richardson needs. He’s also volatile and injury prone enough to perhaps never become what the Colts believe he can be.

That’s a rather wide range of possibilities, and it’s why Indianapolis shouldn’t just place the franchise tag on Pittman Jr. as a cop out. Pittman can create separation and would be a solid No. 2 option on a Super Bowl team. With the Colts, he’s the best option, which says a lot about where the offense is at this season.

Spotrac lists Pittman Jr.’s market value at around a four-year, $90 million contract. The Colts have that sort of money to spend, which is why I find it hard to believe he actually leaves. However, they should consider letting Pittman walk at that rate and drafting a receiver who can play at his level for a cheaper price tag. The Colts have plenty of areas to improve, not just wide receiver.

1. Gardner Minshew as good as gone for Colts

Gardner Minshew was an excellent signing for the Colts, but he deserves a starting opportunity somewhere. Minshew proved he can lead a team to the precipice of postseason contention on his own. He’s done so several times over.

Minshew could sign with several QB-needy teams this offseason and compete for the starting job. While it’s fair to expect him to wait out the free-agent market and NFL Draft, there are few capable free-agent starters outside of Kirk Cousins, who could very well stay with the Minnesota Vikings when all is said and done.

Minshew will not win a Super Bowl barring a magnificent run with a top-ranked defense, but he has a cult following and brings a level of excitement to the QB position which is lacking in many NFL cities. He’s worth signing for any organization in need of a stopgap, or perhaps just a veteran in the quarterback room. And he’ll receive far more than the $1.75 million he made with the Colts this season.