An uncharacteristic big swing by the Colts ranks as their best move of the 2025 offseason so far

The Indianapolis Colts have pleasantly surprised their fan base by being one of the more active teams in the early stages of free agency.They've been aggressive to improve their roster, and for the first time in a while, fans are leaving the first week of free agency with a lot of optimism for the rest […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
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Jan 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Shane Steichen fist bumps Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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The Indianapolis Colts have pleasantly surprised their fan base by being one of the more active teams in the early stages of free agency.

They've been aggressive to improve their roster, and for the first time in a while, fans are leaving the first week of free agency with a lot of optimism for the rest of the offseason. In a new A to Z Sports article, the best move made by each AFC team was highlighted, and I don't think the selection for the Colts will surprise anyone. 

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Colts' signing of CB Charvarius Ward labeled as the team's best 2025 offseason move so far

Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) runs back an interceptions for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
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"Indy desperately needed a facelift to the secondary, and adding Charvarius Ward on a three-year, $54 million deal does just that. Ward has missed just 5.6% of his tackle attempts since entering the league in 2018, the lowest missed tackle rate in the NFL. He was also a first-team All-Pro as recently as 2023 and can succeed in both man and zone coverage.

I like this value more than what the Colts gave Cam Bynum. Ward was beloved in San Francisco and now brings his veteran presence to a defense in Indianapolis that desperately needs it."

A to Z Sports' AFC's Best Free Agency Moves

On paper, it was pretty easy to see who the best free agent fit for the Colts was on the market ahead of free agency. That player was former San Francisco 49ers corner Charvarius Ward. In years past, fans have watched as potential fits would sign for more money everywhere, leaving the Colts to attack the C-tier players and the occasional B-tier option. 

This time, the Colts landed the big fish by signing my top CB in free agency, and they did it on a solid contract. Ward has now become the team's top outside CB and has already announced his intention to travel with the opposing teams' best wide receivers. This is a trait the Colts haven't had consistently in a top CB since Vontae Davis' time with the team.

I agree that Ward is the Colts' best move of the 2025 offseason. And to be honest, I think Ward is the single biggest free agency signing of Chris Ballard's nine-year tenure as the Colts general manager. We will have to wait and see how the signing plays out on the field. But fans haven't been this excited to see a free-agency signing by the Colts suit up in quite some time.