Current return on investment for the Colts 2023 free agency signings
The Indianapolis Colts may not have made the "big splashes" in this past free agency period that fans beg their teams to make. But the early return on investment from this year's group has been fantastic for the team. During Chris Ballard's time as the Colts general manager, they haven't been big spenders during the […]
The Indianapolis Colts may not have made the "big splashes" in this past free agency period that fans beg their teams to make.
But the early return on investment from this year's group has been fantastic for the team.
During Chris Ballard's time as the Colts general manager, they haven't been big spenders during the league free agency period. Typically, they don't participate in the early onslaught in which the largest contracts are usually signed. This past year, though, they changed that approach a bit.
Free agency began on March 15th, with the legal tampering period beginning two days prior on March 13th. And while the Colts didn't sign an outside free agent during the opening day of free agency, they remained active during the first week. They made three notable signings on March 17th: Matt Gay, Gardner Minshew, and Samson Ebukam.
While we are only through three games of the 2023 NFL season, the early return on investment from the Colts recent free-agency has been notable. Let's look at the group and who is already earning their newly signed contracts.
Notable Colts 2023 Free Agents:
In House:
- LB EJ Speed
- WR Ashton Dulin
- DL Tyquan Lewis
When the Colts elected not to resign LB Bobby Okereke this offseason, retaining EJ Speed became a priority for the team. Speed has seen his biggest role with the Colts so far this season. And he's made the most of this opportunity. He has been active in the run game for the Colts and even showed his burst on a sack of Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud in Week 2.
Out of House:
- K Matt Gay
- QB Gardner Minshew
- Samson Ebukam
- Taven Bryan
- Isaiah McKenzie
One of the most expected signings after the Colts named Shane Steichen as their head coach was QB Gardner Minshew. And while he wasn't named the team-starting QB, he has already had to step up to the plate in place of an injured Anthony Richardson in all three of the teams' games this season. And he has proven why having a reliable veteran backup is crucial for teams with young QBs. Minshew has now been under center for the majority of both the team's wins so far this season, and his extra year in Steichen's offense has shown to be big for the team and Richardson's development.
The Colts gave Matt Gay the largest free-agency contract for a kicker in NFL history this offseason, as he signed a 4-year, $22.5 million-dollar contract. This move had many critics, who didn't understand why the Colts would spend at such a non-premium position as kicker. But a reliable kicker is priceless, and Gay put that on full display with his historical Week 3 performance. So far in 2023, Gay has made all six of his field goal attempts, four of which have been from 50+ yards out. If Gay continues to be this reliable, there should be zero people questioning his contract in the future.
The biggest contract given out by the Colts this offseason was to edge rusher Samson Ebukam. Who received a 3-year, $27 million-dollar contract. The Colts chose Ebukam over resigning Yannick Ngakoue, which some questioned at the time, but so far through 3 games, Ebukam has been very impressive. He is tied for 2nd on the Colts in sacks with two and is tied for the team-high in tackles for loss with four. And even more importantly than overall stats, the consistent pressure he has added to the Colts front has been worth the contract he was given this offseason.
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