ESPN praises the Colts' offseason with one of their moves doing some heavy lifting to earn them a solid overall grade
The Indianapolis Colts' offseason approach was quite different this time around compared to recent years. In the past, they have prioritized retaining their in-house free agents. This year, they let multiple players walk, with some notable examples being G Will Fries and C Ryan Kelly signing with the Minnesota Vikings, and LB E.J. Speed signing with their AFC South rival, the Houston […]
The Indianapolis Colts' offseason approach was quite different this time around compared to recent years.
In the past, they have prioritized retaining their in-house free agents. This year, they let multiple players walk, with some notable examples being G Will Fries and C Ryan Kelly signing with the Minnesota Vikings, and LB E.J. Speed signing with their AFC South rival, the Houston Texans. Instead, they prioritized adding outside talent with signings like CB Charvarius Ward and S Cam Bynum. ESPN's Seth Walder recently graded each NFL team's offseason, and the Colts' changing their ways earned them a high mark.
The Colts' signing of Charvarius Ward helped them land a B offseason grade from ESPN
Indianapolis Colts: B
Biggest move: Signing QB Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million deal
Move I liked: Signing CB Charvarius Ward
Move I disliked: None
The Colts again signaled their lack of belief in quarterback Anthony Richardson by signing Jones to compete for the starting job. Jones became the likely Week 1 starter when Richardson was sidelined in Junebecause of an aggravation of the shoulder injury first sustained in 2023 — though Jones might have already been the favorite.
Jones was not the most exciting addition but was a somewhat logical one. By pairing Jones and Richardson, they get two long shots — with Jones providing a higher floor. It's better to take two swings at quarterback than one, but the most likely result is that the Colts' 2026 starter is neither player.
Whomever is playing quarterback will get to throw to new playmaking tight end Tyler Warren, whom Indianapolis drafted in the first round. He joins a pretty decent receiving group alongside Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr. and Adonai Mitchell (whose 82 open score as a rookie shows promise).
The Colts made major free agent additions in the secondary, signing Ward and safety Camryn Bynum to play in new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's scheme. The Bynum signing was fine, but the Ward deal (three years at $18 million per year) was strong. Ward has allowed 1.0 yards per coverage snap (better than average) or better in five of the past six seasons, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
The Colts lost a major free agent in guard Will Fries, but he signed an overpriced deal with the Vikings, so it was perfectly reasonable to let him walk. They are now expected to slide tackle Matt Goncalves inside.
I couldn't find a single move I strongly disliked. It doesn't mean I love their offseason, but I didn't have a major issue with any part of it.
– ESPN 2025 NFL Offseason grades
Walder shared that the move he liked the most from the Colts' offseason was their signing of Ward, and I certainly agree with him. The Colts have been looking for a true number one CB for quite some time, and on paper, it feels like they have finally done it. NFL games aren't played on paper, though, and he will have to prove the team right on the field.
The Colts' secondary, which was a major weakness in 2024, is projected to be a strength in 2025, and the team's front office deserves credit for this accomplishment. Another element of Walder's grade for the Colts is the fact that he stated there wasn't a move the Colts made this offseason that he disliked. Many around the league point to the team's decision to sign Daniel Jones as puzzling, but Walder stated that the choice was a "somewhat logical one." We will have to wait and see how this aggressive free agency approach for the Colts works out, but fans called for the team to try something different in the offseason, and the team certainly gave them what they asked for.
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