Will the Colts re-sign Julian Blackmon?

The Indianapolis Colts have multiple notable 2023 contributors set to hit free agency. 

Safety Julian Blackmon is one of those players and is coming off a career year. 

And below is how I think this offseason will play out for Blackmon. 

Will the Colts re-sign Julian Blackmon?

For most of the season, Blackmon was one of the Colts' best defensive players and, in my opinion, the best individual player in their secondary. He had shown this type of potential in flashes over the years, but injuries have prevented him from showing it consistently. In 2024, he finally put it all together, and for the first 14 games, he was one of the stars on the Colts' defense. 

Unfortunately, his season ended after he suffered a shoulder injury that would lead to his season-ending on IR. Blackmon seemed poised to hit the free agency market with his eyes on a lucrative long-term deal with the Colts or elsewhere. But with him again ending on IR, it'll be interesting to see what his market looks like. I have been told by a source close to the team that the Colts want Blackmon back in 2024. If I had to guess, I think Blackmon is the team's second priority regarding their in-house free agents, only behind WR Michael Pittman Jr. 

I'm sure Blackmon and his team will prefer a long-term deal, but I'm not sure many teams will be lining up to offer him that, with him suffering another injury. His best shot at it is probably with the Colts, who already know him and have a high opinion of the safety. While I think they will negotiate and work on a longer deal, I think Blackmon and his representation will probably realize a one-year prove-it deal to attempt to replicate his stellar 2023 season, which would offer him the chance to earn a larger deal again in 2025. 

In the end, I think Blackmon ends up back with the Colts on just that: a one-year deal. I bet the Colts would love to get a long-term deal done on a lower yearly amount than they expected during his strong season, but I have a hard time seeing Blackmon signing a long-term contract this offseason when he knows he's one healthy year away from a bigger payday.