Running back Zack Moss will be a free agent this offseason. Should the Indianapolis Colts do whatever it takes to retain him or should they go in a different direction?
The Colts, who are expected to have roughly $71 million in cap space, will have several free agents besides Moss. Michael Pittman Jr. is the best of the bunch.
Pittman was remarkable this season, producing 109 receptions for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns. He’s the Colts’ first receiver to reach 100 catches and 1,100 receiving yards since Reggie Wayne in 2012.
The Colts’ Gardner Minshew, Grover Stewart, Kenny Moore II, and Julian Blackmon will also hit free agency. It will be interesting to see which of those players will be re-signed.
Moss currently serves as Jonathan Taylor’s backup. We’ll see whether the Colts bring him back or he goes elsewhere to be a starter.
Should the Indianapolis Colts Retain Zack Moss?
Zack Moss’ Career in Indy
The Buffalo Bills selected Moss in the third round (86th overall pick) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent 2 1/2 seasons in Buffalo, playing behind starter Devin Singletary.
Moss was traded to Indianapolis at last season’s NFL trade deadline. In the deal, the Colts also received a conditional sixth-round pick as they sent Nyheim Hines to Buffalo.
Moss started eight games for the Colts last season, replacing the injured Taylor. In the Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans, he rushed for a then-career-high 114 yards.
This season was the best of Moss’ career. The former Utah Ute started eight of his 14 games as Taylor was in and out of the lineup due to injury. He rushed for a career-high 794 yards and five touchdowns. He also caught 27 passes for 192 yards and two scores.
Moss’ 2023 season was highlighted by a pair of big-time performances. He rushed for a career-high 165 yards against the Tennessee Titans and 122 versus the Baltimore Ravens.
Bringing Him Back Makes Sense
Moss played like one of the NFL’s best running backs during the first part of this season. From Week 2 through Week 6, he led the league in rushing with 466 yards. Yet, his playing time decreased once Taylor, who missed the first four games of the year on the PUP list, returned to the field.
Moss is capable of being a starting running back. With that said, it wouldn’t be surprising if a few teams made him an offer to be their RB1.
If that happens, the Colts would be wise to let him go. The team can’t afford to pay both he and Taylor RB1 type of money.
However, if Moss is willing to remain in Indy as a backup, the Colts need to re-sign him. He, Taylor, and quarterback Anthony Richardson, who will be healthy next season, could make the Colts one of the league’s top running teams. Plus, Moss can fill in for Taylor if he gets injured.
Taylor and Moss form a dangerous combination. A great example of this came during the Colts’ Week 12 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In that game, Taylor (15 carries, 81 yards, and two touchdowns) and Moss (eight carries, 55 yards) ran all over Tampa Bay’s defense as they combined to average 6.3 yards per carry.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard will have a busy offseason, drafting players as well as re-signing and signing free agents from other teams. Retaining Moss, though, is a move he needs to consider.
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