Tag: latest colts news

Colts’ Anthony Richardson expected to be ready for spring workouts

Anthony Richardson should be ready for the spring workout program.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is expected to be ready to participate in the spring workouts when they begin during mid-April.

Speaking to the media at the league’s annual owners meeting Monday, head coach Shane Steichen provided a positive update as it pertains to Richardson’s progress.

“I think he’ll be good to go for spring practice,” Steichen said Monday via IndyStar. “Obviously, we’ve got to limit it and monitor it and don’t go overboard, but I couldn’t be more excited to get him back going again.”

Richardson has been working through a throwing program for the better part of the last 1.5 months. He underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in October following a Grade 3 AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder.

The ceiling of the Colts in 2024 largely orbits what kind of player they get in Richardson. He showed a lot of promise during the early part of his rookie season both as a runner and a passer.

What Richardson brings in terms of upside is something the Colts are rallying behind. Though they haven’t made many outside additions to the roster, Richardson’s return can bring an immediate boost if he stays healthy.

From what Steichen saw during the limited sample size in 2023, the excitement is only going to build as the months pass.

“He made some plays that I’ve never seen guys make,” Steichen said. “To get him back going in training camp and to get him through a full season, I couldn’t be more excited about that.”

The Colts can begin Phase 1 of the offseason workout program on April 15 and even though the on-field work won’t arrive until Phase 2.

[lawrence-related id=95142,95140,95131]

Colts hosting CB Jarrian Jones for top-30 visit pre-NFL draft

The Colts will host CB Jarrian Jones for a top-30 visit.

The Indianapolis Colts reportedly will host Florida State cornerback Jarrian Jones for a top-30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

After missing out on the trade for L’Jarius Sneed, who went to the division-rival Tennessee Titans, the Colts can still add some young talent to the secondary.

Jones would be an intriguing candidate to consider if Indy opts to go in a different direction early in the draft. According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, the Colts are bringing Jones in for a visit.

Jones has adequate size at 6-foot-0 and 190 pounds, and he tested through the roof at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash to go along with a 39.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-9-inch broad jump. However, his 30-inch arms and slight frame may push him inside more often than not.

At Florida State, he lined up almost exclusively in the slot during the 2023 season, and he thrived in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, Jones allowed a 50% catch rate, 9.9 yards per reception and a mere 25.3 passer rating in coverage on 32 targets.

It will be interesting to see how the Colts go about their draft process considering the massive need to add a boundary cornerback, but Jones has the skill set that will intrigue Indy on Day 2.

[lawrence-related id=95131,95127,95124]

2024 NFL draft: Colts to host Xavier Worthy for top 30 visit

Xavier Worthy has a top-30 visit scheduled with the Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts will host Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy for a top-30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

After head coach Shane Steichen and wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne attended the NFL pro day at Texas on Wednesday, the team will bring Worthy in for an official visit ahead of the draft.

Worthy has been a fast riser throughout the pre-draft process with an emphasis on the word “fast.” He set the record at the NFL combine for the fastest 40-yard dash ever recorded at 4.21 seconds.

Worthy checks just about every box the Colts would look for in a wide receiver outside of his weight. He weighed in at 165 pounds, which certainly will give teams pause.

However, he was an early and constant producer throughout his collegiate career at Texas, and he has enough nuance to his route-running abilities to be categorized as more than a simple burner.

Whether the Colts would be willing to spend the No. 15 overall pick on him is a significant question, but there is clearly a strong level of interest in him leading up to the draft.

[lawrence-related id=95073,95047,95045]

Shane Steichen, Reggie Wayne attend Texas pro day

Some important Colts’ figures attended the Texas pro day.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen and wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne were in attendance at the NFL pro day for Texas ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.

While the Colts will have several scouts attending pro days and workouts leading up to April’s big event, it’s noteworthy when a head coach makes a trip.

It’s also notable that Wayne is in attendance considering the Longhorns have two fringe Round 1 receiver prospects in Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell.

While the wide receiver prospects will certainly garner the most attention for the Colts, there are several other prospects the team likely had an eye on during the pro day.

Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders is considered one of the top prospects at the position and likely a Day 2 pick. Defensive tackle Byron Murphy is expected to go in the first round while fellow defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat is a projected Day 2 selection.

Safety Ryan Watts also could be on Chris Ballard’s radar considering his elite RAS (9.84).

[lawrence-related id=95047,95045,95043]

NFL free agency: Colts re-sign G Danny Pinter

Danny Pinter will be back on a one-year deal.

The Indianapolis Colts are re-signing guard Danny Pinter in free agency, according to reports Tuesday.

Pinter, a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, missed the entire 2023 season due to a fractured ankle he suffered during the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

Though he struggled when he was given the starting role at right guard in 2022, Pinter has shown some progress as a depth piece to work at both guard spots and as the backup center to Ryan Kelly.

Pinter’s rookie contract expired this offseason and with the resurgence of the Colts offensive line, it seems they are opting to run it back with a unit that immediately found success under Tony Sparano Jr. in his first season as offensive line coach.

The re-signing of Pinter means the Colts currently have the entire offensive line returning from the 2023 season.

There’s a likelihood they had more competition for depth spots at guard and at swing tackle for second-year player Blake Freeland.

But for now, Pinter will return as the main backup for the aforementioned Kelly at center while providing flexible depth at both guard spots.

[lawrence-related id=95045,95043,95038]

Are Colts’ trade talks for L’Jarius Sneed dying down?

Adam Schefter shot down the idea of the Colts acquring L’Jarius Sneed.

The Indianapolis Colts have been heavily linked in potential trade talks to acquire cornerback L’Jarius Sneed from the Kansas City Chiefs, but a new report may indicate a deal has hit a snag.

While it was reported earlier that Sneed’s contract demands have been the reason for holding up a deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday shot down the idea of a trade happening between the Colts and Chiefs.

To say both teams haven’t had any conversations would contradict several reports that discussion have been taking place, but it does appear multiple reports are indicating a deal is not close to being down.

Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star echoed these thoughts in his own piece detailing what he’s learned about the situation.

“Perception has swallowed reality as it pertains to the Colts. They don’t often win bidding wars, and they haven’t remotely tried to win this one yet,” Atkins wrote. “As of now, it would be a surprise if the Colts won this bidding war.”

The Colts also have some in-division competition. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Tennesse Titans have also been involved in discussions of a potential trade.

Of course, things can change on a dime. The NFL isn’t a stagnant business at all, and negotiations are always fluid.

The Colts have a massive need to add another boundary cornerback to complement second-year player Julius Brents. The Chiefs have cap restraints and would seemingly prefer to offload Sneed’s new contract. This move benefits both parties.

However, it does seem as though the talks have hit a snag. There’s still plenty of time to get a deal done, and things change constantly in this landscape.

But now, only time will tell what will come of this situation.

[lawrence-related id=95043,95038,95036]

NFL free agency: Colts host S Mike Edwards for visit

The Colts hosted free-agent S Mike Edwards for a visit Monday.

The Indianapolis Colts held a free-agent visit for safety Mike Edwards on Monday, per the league’s transaction wire.

A third-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, Edwards entered the league with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spent four seasons with the Bucs before signing a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency during the 2023 offseason.

Edwards has the versatility to work both as a free and strong safety. With the Chiefs, he primarily lined up as a free safety but spent a solid chunk of his snaps in the box. He had similar splits with the Buccaneers as well.

During the 2023 season, Edwards appeared in all 17 games while making five starts. He recorded 51 tackles (32 solo), two tackles for loss, five passes defensed and one interception.

According to Pro Football Focus, he recorded five run stops and allowed a 66.4 passer rating in coverage on 28 targets.

[lawrence-related id=95034,95030,94992]

Colts free agent S Julian Blackmon visiting Bills

Julian Blackmon is taking a visit with the Bills.

Indianapolis Colts free-agent safety Julian Blackmon is visiting the Buffalo Bills this week as the second wave of free agency ramps up.

The former third-round pick out of Utah is the biggest name the Colts currently have on the market after re-signing a handful of their top free agents.

Blackmon has produced well during his time with the Colts even though he’s dealt with a bit of an injury history.

Coming off his best season in the NFL, Blackmon switched to the strong safety position. He thrived in that role, recording career-high marks in tackles (88), solo tackles (55), tackles for loss (five), interceptions (four) and passes defensed (eight).

According to Pro Football Focus, Blackmon also thrived in coverage. He allowed a 70.5% reception rate and a 57.5 passer rating on 44 targets.

The Colts have a massive need to fill the strong safety position this offseason so it will be interesting to see what comes of Blackmon’s visit with the Bills.

[lawrence-related id=95030,94992,95027]

How Kenny Moore’s 3-year contract with the Colts breaks down

Kenny Moore is once again the NFL’s highest-paid slot CB. Here’s how the contract breaks down.

The Indianapolis Colts re-signed cornerback Kenny Moore II to a three-year contract, keeping him in the Circle City through the 2026 season.

Though it wasn’t totally clear whether Moore would return, the two sides eventually got a deal done to secure the talented slot cornerback for the next three campaigns.

The three-year deal is worth $30 million with $16 million fully guaranteed at signing.

Here’s how his contract breaks down, according to Over The Cap:

Three years, $30 million

$6.75 million signing bonus (guaranteed)

2024
– $4.24 million base salary (guaranteed)
– $30,000 per game roster bonus
– Cap Hit: $6.97 million (2.7%)

2025
– $7.99 million base salary ($5.01 million guaranteed)
– $30,000 per game roster bonus
– Cap Hit: $10.75 million (4.1%)

2026
– $9.49 million base salary
– $30,000 per game roster bonus
– Cap Hit: $12.25 million

With Anthony Richardson currently on his rookie contract, the Colts have had a clear theme of front-loading these three-year deals with guaranteed money during the first two seasons. This gives them an out if needed going into 2026.

If the Colts needed to cut or trade Moore going into the 2026 offseason, they would save $10 million in salary-cap space while incurring just a $2.25 million dead cap hit.

Moore returned to form as one of the best slot defenders in the NFL during the 2023 season. This came off the back of a poor season in the first year within Gus Bradley’s defense.

On this new deal, Moore is now the highest-paid slot cornerback in the NFL—the second time in his career he’s achieved the feat.

[lawrence-related id=94974,94970,94966]

How we graded Michael Pittman Jr. re-signing with the Colts

Here’s how we graded the contract extension for Michael Pittman Jr.

Michael Pittman Jr. and the Indianapolis Colts agreed to a three-year contract extension on Monday. The deal keeps Pittman in Indianapolis through 2026 after the Colts applied the franchise tag earlier in March ahead of free agency.

Per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, the contract is worth up to $71.5 million with $46 million guaranteed. At full value, it would pay Pittman just under $24 million per year.

In 2023, Pittman tallied 1,152 yards, 109 receptions and four touchdowns. His 1100-plus yards were good for fourteenth in the NFL, and his 109 receptions placed him fourth among receivers.

One of his best performances of the season came against the Tennesee Titans in Week 13. Pittman ended his day with 11 receptions, 105 yards and a touchdown during Indy’s overtime win.

General manager Chris Ballard made it clear that Michael Pittman was a priority. Applying the franchise tag to Pittman while they actively continued negotiations was a good sign that the Colts were serious about retaining him.

Pittman has endured a lot. He’s had a different quarterback in every season he’s been with the Colts, and despite the quarterback carousel, he’s answered the call nearly every time the Colts have asked him to produce. Per PFF, since 2021, he’s been top-15 or higher in targets and receptions, which is a testament to his bell-cow work ethic.

If the Colts let Pittman truly hit the open market and walk away, it would have looked pretty awful on their brass. Pittman is a franchise staple, and you should pay not only for his production and reliability but also because Anthony Richardson needs weapons around him to succeed.

On the other hand, Pittman deserves stability at the quarterback position because he has yet to hit his full potential. If the Colts can unlock that, the possibilities are infinite.

Grade: A

[lawrence-related id=94910,94905,94906]