Running the Indianapolis Colts Offseason in GM Mode

This offseason, I took control of the Indianapolis Colts in GM Mode on StickToTheModel with a plan to reshape the roster, strengthen the defense, and maintain financial flexibility moving forward.

Here’s how the offseason played out.

The Big Picture

• Starting Cap Space: $33.2M
• Final Cap Space: $28.6M
• Players Cut: 1
• Contracts Restructured: 4
• Tags Used: 1
• Trades Made: 3
• Free Agents Signed: 8
• Draft Picks: 11
• Overall Grade: A

The Colts remained aggressive while still finishing with nearly $30M in cap space.

Cuts

Zaire Franklin
Cap Savings: +$5.8M

Moving on from Franklin created immediate cap flexibility.

Restructures

Four contracts were reworked to create additional cap space.

• Bernhard Raimann (+$7.5M)
• Charvarius Ward (+$5.2M)
• Cam Bynum (+$5.3M)
• Ahmad Gardner (+$2.8M)

These restructures helped maintain roster stability while opening financial room for other moves.

Tag

Daniel Jones (QB) — Transition Tag
Cap Hit: $37.8M

The Colts chose to retain Daniel Jones on the transition tag, keeping their quarterback room stable while maintaining flexibility.

Trades

Three trades reshaped parts of the roster while adding draft capital.

Sent Grover Stewart to Arizona
Received: 2026 Pick #104

Sent Michael Pittman Jr. to Las Vegas
Received: 2026 Pick #182

Sent Kenny Moore to Seattle
Received: 2026 Pick #213

These moves helped generate extra picks for the draft.

Free Agency Additions

Eight moves were made in free agency, including two re-signings.

Re-Signed

Alec Pierce (WR) — 3 years / $24.5M APY
Receiver depth retained on a multi-year deal.

Nick Cross (S) — 1 year / $9.8M APY
Continuity maintained in the secondary.

External Additions

Trey Hendrickson (EDGE) — 2 years / $20.1M APY
A major pass-rush addition for the defensive front.

John Franklin-Myers (IDL) — 1 year / $12.1M APY
Interior defensive line reinforcement.

Devin Lloyd (LB) — 2 years / $10.6M APY
Linebacker upgrade to help anchor the middle of the defense.

D.J. Reader (IDL) — 1 year / $4.6M APY
Veteran depth added to the defensive line rotation.

Shaq Thompson (LB) — 1 year / $4.0M APY
Additional experience in the linebacker group.

Dyami Brown (WR) — 1 year / $3.8M APY
Depth receiver added to the offense.

Draft Class

The Colts added an 11-player class focused on offensive depth and defensive versatility.

Round 2 — Pick 47
Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee)

Round 4 — Pick 102
Kage Casey (OT, Boise State)

Round 4 — Pick 104
Drew Allar (QB, Penn State)

Round 4 — Pick 113
Jaishawn Barham (EDGE, Michigan)

Round 4 — Pick 117
Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina)

Round 5 — Pick 155
Taurean York (ILB, Texas A&M)

Round 6 — Pick 182
Jadon Canady (CB, Oregon)

Round 6 — Pick 213
Tanner Koziol (TE, Houston)

Round 7 — Pick 229
Deven Eastern (DL, Minnesota)

Round 7 — Pick 248
Harrison Wallace III (WR, Ole Miss)

Round 7 — Pick 254
Adam Randall (RB, Clemson)

Final Take

This Colts offseason balanced aggressive roster moves with financial discipline. The team retained key contributors, upgraded the defense, added depth through free agency, and brought in a large draft class.

With $28.6M in cap space remaining, Indianapolis exits the offseason with flexibility and a deeper roster.

Want to Run Your Own Offseason?

I built this roster using GM Mode on StickToTheModel. If you want to take control of your favorite team, manage the cap, make trades, sign free agents, and run the draft yourself, you can do it there!

Be the GM of any team here!