The Indianapolis Colts are bigger spenders in the NFL than you might think

The NFL offseason is in full swing, which means fans of each team have gripes on moves they feel their favorite team should be making.  For the Indianapolis Colts, those gripes have gotten louder and louder over the years as the narrative grows that Chris Ballard and the Colts are "cheap." But an interesting stat […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
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Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL offseason is in full swing, which means fans of each team have gripes on moves they feel their favorite team should be making. 

For the Indianapolis Colts, those gripes have gotten louder and louder over the years as the narrative grows that Chris Ballard and the Colts are "cheap." But an interesting stat might have disproven that notion once and for all.

The Colts currently have the tenth most expensive offense in the entire NFL at $134.9 million. It's even more impressive when you think about the fact that the Colts have a QB on a rookie contract and still sit where they do on this list. The only other team to fall in the top 10 with their starting QB on a rookie contract is the San Francisco 49ers, who have the ninth most expensive offense at $138.5 million. 

So whether fans think otherwise or not, the Colts have spent money and are attempting to cash in on the rookie QB contract advantage. The Colts might not spend the money the way I or fans would prefer them to, but the contracts are adding up. Their big move this offseason on that side of the ball coming in the form of re-signing star WR Michael Pittman Jr. 

Because Anthony Richardson is not making top-tier QB money at this time, the Colts can be big spenders at some positions other teams couldn't, such as RB with Jonathan Taylor and LG with Quenton Nelson. But it's not just Richardson's contract that helps the Colts right now; they also have their starting LT Bernhard Raimann still on his rookie contract. Those are two premium pay positions, both coming at a discount to the Colts at this time. 

Feb 28, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard speaks at a press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center.

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