3 Colts players must be let walk in free agency during the NFL offseason

The Indianapolis Colts were one of the most exciting teams in the NFL during the 2025 season. Indy dominated the first half of the season with KB Daniel Jones playing like an MVP. But his Season-ending Achilles injury completely sunk the Colts and they ended up missing the playoffs.

The theme of Indy’s offseason should be extending Jones.

Both Jones and the Colts are interested in a long-term extensionwhich should start the negotiations in a happy place. However, the Colts may not be so happy when they actually sign Jones to a new deal.

Spotrac lists Jones with a market value of about $43.6 million per season on a new contract. For context, that’s more money per year than Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold. In fact, that puts him right up there with Kirk Cousins ​​in average annual value.

That could be a problem as the Colts enter the offseason with only $35.72 million in cap space.

Those two data points alone make the deal impossible to close. But don’t worry Colts fans, there are a few potential solutions.

First, Indy could structure Jones’ contract in such a way that his 2026 number is quite low. But that means they will have to eat their vegetables in the future season.

Meanwhile, Jones could always give Indy a hometown discount. Realistically, there may not be a strong market for a long-term deal with any other NFL team.

whatever happens, The Colts may still be forced to cut a few players or let the veterans go to make ends meet this offseason.

Below, we’ll explore three Colts players Indianapolis should let walk NFL free agency.

Alex Pierce is too expensive after the 2025 season

In an ideal world, the Colts would love to keep Pierce.

Unfortunately, the young wide receiver dominated during his fourth season in the NFL.

Pierce had a real breakout season in 2025, hauling in 47 receptions for 1,003 receiving yards and six touchdowns. His breakthrough was particularly impressive as he continued to play well even after Jones’ season-ending injury.

The bad news is that Pierce is now ready to cash in on a big second contract in free agency. One that Indy won’t be able to afford.

Spotrac cites the Pierces market value of $20.2 million per season on a new deal. That would put him in the same position as Jacoby Meyers, Jerry Jeddy and Christian Kirk in terms of average salary. That would also put him lower than Jameson Williams.

The price of a second contract wide receiver in the NFL just keeps going up and up.

Don’t get me wrong, Pierce certainly earned a lucrative second contract. But even if the Colts could afford it, I don’t think this would be the right move for the organization.

Can the Colts find a cheap replacement for Braden Smith?

Smith is another player I don’t think the Colts can afford to pay.

Indy has been blessed with great play at right tackle since drafting Smith in the second round in 2018.

But now Smith will be 30 at the start of the 2026 season and his contract is up. Now may be the time to move on.

Spotrak gives Smith a market value of $13.5 million per seasondown from $17.5 million per season on his last contract.

Make no mistake, firing Smith is not a pleasant thought for the Colts. Indy will be forced to replace Smith with whoever they can find this offseason, regardless of the budget they end up with.

But if that means keeping Jones, the Colts will be happy enough to let Smith be a free agent.

Indy should allow another team to give Kwiti Paye a big contract in free agency

The Colts are also expecting big changes at Edge Rusher this spring.

Indy is poised to lose Samson Ebukam, Tikwan Lewis, and Kwiti Pei to free agency at the same time.

The good news is that Indy has Lajatu Latu, a rising young talent who can lead the unit in 2026. But other than him and JT Tuimoloau, there is almost no one on the roster that the Colts can count on.

Spotrac lists Paie’s market value of $17.9 million per seasonwhich would be hard for the Colts to handle.

Indy needs to solve his pass rush problem, one way or another, this offseason. Probably by adding at least two new players to the position group.

I see the Colts keeping one of their current rushers. But if they do, it will either be Ebukam or Lewis.

Colts fans should expect the team to invest at least one draft pick in a pass rusher during the 2026 NFL Draft.