Tag: Grover Stewart

5 Colts’ free agents make PFF’s top 100 list for 2024

A quintet of Colts made PFF’s top 100 free agents list for 2024.

The Indianapolis Colts have an interesting offseason coming up starting with a group of players set to hit free agency when the 2024 new league year arrives in March.

Over at Pro Football Focus, a list of the top 100 free agents was put together by Brad Spielgerger and five Colts players wound up making the cut.

The five names won’t come as a shock as they are the five names most talked about in regard to the Colts’ upcoming free-agent class.

Here’s a look at the five Colts players who made the list, along with what Spielberger said and his projected contract:

8 Colts who could receive contract extensions this offseason

Taking a look at eight Colts who could receive contract extensions this offseason.

Ever since Chris Ballard took over as general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, they have been a team not afraid to hand out contract extensions to players they feel have earned it.

This is a big offseason for a Colts organization that is looking to build a playoff contender after narrowly missing out on the postseason. Re-signing some pending free agents to new deals and handing out some contract extensions to players currently under contract will be two ways of doing so.

We’re taking two schools of thought here as it pertains to contract extensions. The first includes pending free agents we believe could earn a multi-year deal before the new league year arrives in March.

The other includes players going into the final year of their current contract. We’ve seen Ballard hand out extensions in the past when players have one year remaining on current deals before that final season arrives. In theory, these deals would likely get done during the summer after free agency and the 2024 NFL draft have already passed.

Admittedly, we’re casting a pretty wide net here. Not all of the players below will receive a new deal this offseason. In fact, the majority of them probably won’t. But if there’s a slight chance they might, we’re going to make the argument as to why it could happen.

Here are eight Colts currently under contract who could receive a contract extension during the 2024 offseason:

Colts’ top needs entering 2024 offseason

Taking a look at the top needs for the Colts entering the 2024 offseason.

With the 2023 season officially over for the Indianapolis Colts, they are officially in offseason mode.

As 2024 begins, Indianapolis will look to add to its roster and strengthen some perceived weaknesses through free agency, trades and the NFL draft.

With that being said, here are some of the top needs for Indianapolis moving forward:

Colts’ players set to be free agents in 2024

These Colts will be unrestricted free agents in 2024.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the 2023 regular season with a disappointing loss at home and now it’s time to look toward the 2024 offseason.

According to Over the Cap, the Colts are expected to have around $71.2 million in salary-cap space (fifth most) and $61.4 million in effective salary-cap space (third most) entering the 2024 offseason.

There are a number of players who have earned new contracts under the current coaching staff, which just concluded its first season. The front office also will likely restructure some contracts, and cut or trade some players, to free up some space even though it’s not as much of a priority this offseason.

But before we get into all of that, here are the Colts who are set to be unrestricted free agents in 2024:

Studs and duds from Colts’ 30-13 win vs. Steelers

Taking a look at the studs and duds from the Colts’ 30-13 win over the Steelers.

The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) continued their playoff push with a 30-13 win at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) on Saturday.

It wasn’t pretty in the first half, especially as the Colts were down 13-0 early on after a missed field goal, a touchdown drive allowed and then a blocked punt that led to another Pittsburgh touchdown.

But the Colts were able to prevail thanks to some big plays by the passing offense after Gardner Minshew gave Indianapolis their first lead as they took a 14-13 halftime lead.

From there, the Colts outscored Pittsburgh 16-0 in the second half as they cruised to a convincing 30-13 victory.

Here’s a look at the studs and duds from the Week 15 win:

Stock up, stock down from Colts’ 34-14 loss to Bengals

Taking stock from the Colts’ loss in Week 14 against the Bengals.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) were defeated 34-14 on Sunday by the Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) at Paycor Stadium.

In what was easily the worst game they’ve played all season, the Colts simply didn’t have it. They were outmatched in all three phases of the game, and their inability to limit the self-inflicting wounds buried any chances of pulling off a comeback.

Now, it’s time to take a look at whose stock was impacted from the team’s largest loss of the season.

When taking stock of a player’s performance, it’s best to be fluid. A player’s stock will fall and rise throughout the season so none of this is set in stone. However, it is important to take note of the narratives and storylines taking place as the campaign progresses.

A player’s stock can be impacted by factors such as their performance or the type of snaps they receive during the games.

Here’s a look at the stock report for the Colts following the Week 14 loss:

Colts’ Grover Stewart activated from suspended list

Grover Stewart has officially been activated.

The Indianapolis Colts activated defensive tackle Grover Stewart from the suspended list and waived wide receiver Juwann Winfree, the team announced Saturday.

Stewart just concluded a six-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy. He will slot right into his typical starting role as the one-technique defensive tackle next to DeForest Buckner.

Also, the Colts elevated running back Tyler Goodson and wide receiver D.J. Montgomery from the practice squad to the active roster for the Week 14 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Goodson will provide some depth and special teams contributions with Jonathan Taylor (thumb) still on the mend. Montgomery also will work on special teams as the No. 5 wide receiver on the game-day roster.

[lawrence-related id=92239,92236,92233]

Key matchups to watch in Colts vs. Bengals

Taking a look at the key matchups to watch in Week 14.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-5) are hitting the road for a Week 14 bout against the Cincinnati Bengals (6-6) on Sunday at Paycor Stadium.

In what will have heavy implications for the AFC playoff picture, this game is expected to be a battle down to the wire. Both teams will be trotting out backup quarterbacks in the form of Gardner Minshew and Jake Browning.

The Colts are riding a four-game winning streak for the first time since 2018 and have won five of six games on the road this season. Meanwhile, the Bengals are coming off a big road win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, their first victory since Jake Browning took over as the starter for the injured Joe Burrow.

Here are some key matchups to watch in this Week 14 game between the Colts and Bengals:

Studs and duds from Colts’ 27-20 win over Buccaneers

Taking a look at the studs and duds from the Week 12 win.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-5) won their third straight game Sunday, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) at home.

The Colts jumped out to a 17-3 lead before Tampa Bay came storming back in the second half. The Colts ultimately closed the game out with a strip-sack under two minutes to secure the victory.

Here are the studs and duds from the Colts’ win in Week 12:

Colts’ Grover Stewart releases statement after suspension

Grover Stewart expressed his disappointment and remorse following a PED violation.

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart was suspended six games this week for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, prompting him to release a statement shortly after the news broke.

Via his Instagram story, Stewart apologized to the fanbase and organization. He also expressed his surprise that he had violated the policy. Here’s a look at his full statement (h/t Joel A. Erickson).

I want to apologize to the National Football League, the Colts organization, my teammates, our fans, and my family. I was surprised and disappointed to learn I had violated the policy. I respect the integrity of the game and would never purposefully put myself or the team in this kind of situation. I am responsible for what I put in my body, an dI should have taken the proper steps to educate myself. I will learn from this moving forward, and I will take the approproate measures to ensure this never happens again.

It’s a disappointing development considering how much Stewart means both on the field and in the locker room. Few players are held in higher regard than Stewart, and he has been known as a person with extremely high character since he entered the league in 2017.

On the field, Stewart’s absence will be massive. He’s one of the best interior run defenders in the NFL, and the Colts probably don’t have a viable replacement for him on the roster.

Stewart is eligible to return to the active roster following the Week 13 game against the Tennessee Titans.

[lawrence-related id=90348,90343,90341]