The Indianapolis Colts were busy on the first day of the contact period for NFL Free Agency, but most of the work they put in was securing their own key players.
They gave a contract extension to linebacker Zaire Franklin, signed Michael Pittman to a contract extension, and re-signed defensive tackle Grover Stewart.
ESPN analytics analyst Seth Walder gave the Colts a solid 'B' on ESPN+ when grading the deal for Stewart.
"The Colts have retained one of the best run-stuffing defensive tackles in the NFL in re-signing Stewart," wrote Walder on ESPN+. "His 43% run stop win rate as an interior defender ranked third in 2023, and he was inside the top 10 in 2022 as well."
This is Stewart's third contract with the Colts, and Walder said his deal is right in line with the second contract he signed after his rookie deal expired.
"Stewart signed a previous extension in 2020 worth $10.25 million per year, which is almost perfectly in line with the $13 million he signed for this time after adjusting for cap inflation," wrote Walder. "Looking at comps aside from his past self, Stewart is cheaper than Damon Harrison was in 2016 when he signed for the modern-day equivalent of $15.2 million APY, per OverTheCap data."
The Colts have set themselves up to be major players in free agency if they find the right fit. They still have over $60 million in available cap space according to Spotrac.
Kenny Moore could be the next in-house free agent to get a new deal, but the Colts will still look to bolster a defense that ranked 28th in points allowed in 2023.
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