A number of important Indianapolis Colts players may play their final regular season game in blue and white on January 7 regardless of what transpires in Week 18.
This game may be those players’ final one with the Colts if they lose to the Houston Texans.
The Colts’ pending free agents for the upcoming offseason are listed below, sorted by average yearly salary for 2023:
In terms of average yearly salary for the 2023 season, Stewart is Indianapolis’ most expensive pending free agent. Throughout his seven seasons with the Colts, the 30-year-old defensive tackle has been an underappreciated asset. Although Stewart has been largely overshadowed by fellow defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, Stewart has recorded 30 tackles for loss, 35 quarterback hits, and 9 sacks in his career. He’s racked up 36 total tackles this season in 10 games, including 5 tackles for loss, 8 quarterback hits, and 0.5 sacks.
Moore has only received one Pro Bowl nomination, but he has nonetheless been a valuable member of the Colts’ roster. After an offseason holdout and a dismal 2022 season, he recovered this season. Moore has recorded 9.5 sacks, 55 pass defenses, and 17 interceptions in his seven seasons in Indianapolis. In 2023, he has returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
The 27-year-old started his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns before signing a one-year contract with the Colts last year. In 2023, he will prove to be an invaluable backup for Indianapolis. This season, Bryan has filled in for Stewart and Buckner, starting seven games. Including 4 tackles for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble, he has 21 total tackles.
This season, Minshew played far more than the Colts had hoped due to rookie Anthony Richardson’s numerous injuries. However, Minshew has improved throughout the season and managed to keep the Colts competitive. In Shane Steichen’s first season, Indianapolis probably wouldn’t have had a chance to make the playoffs without him. In 2023, Minshew has a 62.7% completion percentage, an average of 6.8 yards per attempt, 15 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. This season, he has started for the Colts and is 7-5.
After missing the entire 2022 season, Sanchez has returned as one of the best punters in the NFL. Entering Week 18, he has career-highs of 47.9 yards per punt and 42.8 net yards per punt. Sanchez has also pinned opposing offenses inside their 20-yard line 21 times. He has served as Indianapolis punter since 2017.
Pittman might be ranked #1 if this were a list of the most significant Colts pending free agents. Due to his meagre earnings of $2.1 million in 2023, he is ranked where he is on the list. Considering his output during his first four seasons, that pay should increase significantly. Pittman has topped his career totals this season with 104 receptions and 1,108 receiving yards on 150 targets. Over the past three years, Pittman has undoubtedly been Indianapolis’ best pass catcher, even with young players like Josh Downs and Alec Pierce on the rise.
The 28-year-old sustained heartbreaking knee injuries in the middle of the 2021–2022 season. However, he came back in 2023 and had the best NFL season of his career. With 25 total tackles this season, 9 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, 4 sacks, and 3 pass defenses, Lewis has essentially set career highs in every category.
For the past two seasons, the 28-year-old fellow has primarily been an ace on special teams for the Colts. After playing a career-high 303 special teams snaps the previous season, he has played 252 more special teams snaps this season. In 2023, Brown plays 56 defensive snaps and also picks up an interception.
