Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard is known for taking a more conservative approach to free agency, poaching at the fringes and looking for hidden gems while primarily relying on the NFL Draft for roster construction. So far, that approach has gotten Ballard and his team on the doorstep of the postseason a handful of times, but essentially hasn’t borne much fruit as far as results are concerned.
This year, however, Ballard has hinted that things might be different. He’s openly spoken of a desire to surround dynamic young quarterback Anthony Richardson with the explosive, athletic talent that would match his own, on both sides of the ball. Although there really hasn’t been a firm commitment to doing this via free agency yet, little hints exist if you read between the lines.
Today, however, came news that might–if not should–turn those embers of hints into a blaze of a changed philosophy regarding free agency. The NFL announced a $30 million boost to the salary cap, raising it to an all-time record $255.6 million dollars. Teams around the league rejoiced in their newfound financial flexibility. For teams like the Colts, that extra $30 million could mean a lot of things. There are, for instance, players like Michael Pittman and Kenny Moore that would very much welcome a chance to claim some of that money for themselves via an extension. Indeed, many players will likely take that route.
Some, however, will use the opportunity to potentially join more teams as leverage in negotiations. This is where Ballard and his people can strike, if they just take the chance.
Going against your instincts is tough, especially when those instincts involve money. Just ask Ebenezer Scrooge. Like Scrooge, however, it’s time for Ballard to open up the checkbook. It’s time to hand out some deals to big name players, or at least try. The Colts find themselves in possession of $72 million in cap space now, giving them a real opportunity to target the kinds of additions they’ve never made before.
Nobody associated with the Colts want anything more than a true number one wide receiver next to Pittman. Hey, would you look at that? Tee Higgins, AJ Brown, Mike Evans, and more are scheduled to become free agents. A veteran corner to lead the young group? Jaylon Johnson and L’Jarius Sneed are right there. More heat off the edge? Why not try to poach Josh Allen from division rival Jacksonville, or perhaps lure Brian Burns in from Carolina? The list of names of valuable free agents is as long as it is compelling.
These players have one thing in common: wherever they end up, they’re going to make their team 1000 times better. That’s why Ballard needs to act as soon as he’s able to, and set up meetings with some of these guys. Sure, he’ll do what he always does and spend a boatload of his time researching the Draft–as he still should, as well–but with all seven of the Colts’ own picks and a trader’s panache, Ballard can spin straw into gold and come up with extra picks and the kind of Draft class other teams envy.
In the meantime, it’s time for a change in Indianapolis. It’s time to go out and grab the kind of free agents that get you the big breaking news updates on ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL Network, and the like. The kind that blow up social media and make your team the biggest trending topic in the sports world. The Colts have had chances like this before, but this extra money in the bank is a clear sign from the football gods that action is required, serious action. With Richardson on a rookie deal for four more years, and a roster that already came one dropped pass short of a division championship this season, a better opportunity to become a major threat to the seemingly inevitable leviathan that is the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes won’t soon come along.
This is that scene in poker movies where the protagonist has the chance to go all in or walk. If the Colts go all in, there’s no telling what kind of jackpot they can end up with, maybe the kind that involves a Lombardi Trophy.
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