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While the playoffs are still going on, the Indianapolis Colts are now fully focused on the offseason.
One of their first duties will be to evaluate their in-house free agents to decide who they would like back in 2024.
I decided to do the same and begin an off-season series looking at the Colts in in-house free agents and, one by one, share my prediction on whether they will stay with Indianapolis for 2024 or have played their final game as a Colt.
Part 1 of this series covered Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr., and today, we jump to the other side of the ball to discuss safety Julian Blackmon.
Julian Blackmon:
The Colts drafted Blackmon with the 85th pick in the 3rd round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has appeared in 50 games during his four-year career and has been a starter for 46. During that span, he had seven interceptions and 214 total tackles.
Blackmon's main struggle has been staying healthy, as he still has not been able to complete an entire season in the NFL. This season, he finally looked to be on track before being placed on the IR surprisingly after Week 15. This was extra devasting when you look at the fact that Blackmon was having a career season.
He led the Colts with four interceptions, which was a career-high for him; he also set a career-high in pass deflections with eight.
Should he stay or should he go?:
In my opinion, Blackmon should be the number one priority to retain on the defensive side of the ball. First of all, he is only 25 and was the best player on the team's secondary this past season. And that was made even clearer after he went on IR, and the drop in play at the safety position was so drastic.
Blackmon mans the SS position but also has a very diverse role on the defense, where he is asked to wear many hats. And he has been impressive in every role he is given. In Chris Ballard's end-of-season presser, he stressed that the team needs better and more consistent play out of their FS position but also highlighted just how good Blackmon was this season.
I think before the injury, Blackmon had earned a long-term contract extension with the Colts. And while I think he still deserves it, I wouldn't be shocked if he decided to take a one-year prove-it type deal with the Colts to attempt to put together a full season next year and earn a more lucrative extension.
More must-reads:
- Colts to sign key offensive lineman to a massive extension
- Suspect dies in NFL headquarters building after shooting
- The 'NFL all-time touchdown receptions leaders' quiz
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Raiders rookie WR showing he could be steal of 2025 draft
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Ryne Sandberg’s health was worst-kept secret at HOF induction weekend
Ryne Sandberg died on Monday at 65 after battling prostate cancer. His death came a day after the 2025 class was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Apparently the former second baseman’s health status was the worst-kept secret over the weekend. MLB Network reporter Jon Morosi said on X that Wade Boggs had cried when mentioning Sandberg during an interview with Morosi recently. Boggs had cried because he knew his Hall of Fame classmate of 2005 was in declining health. Veteran MLB reporter Jayson Stark said that there was sadness around Cooperstown as people prepared to hear the news about Sandberg. Sandberg played in Major League Baseball for 16 seasons from 1981-97. He played 15 seasons with the Chicago Cubs and became a beloved figure in the city. Sandberg earned 10 All-Star selections, nine Gold Glove Awards, and seven Silver Slugger Awards while in Chicago. Sandberg also was named National League MVP in 1984 and led the NL with 40 home runs in the 1990 season. Sandberg first announced in January 2024 that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. A positive development then followed in August when Sandberg revealed that tests had detected no more cancer in his body following treatment. However, Sandberg announced just a few months later that his cancer had returned. Additionally, Sandberg revealed that the cancer had spread to his other organs as well. After retiring as a player, Sandberg was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, his third year on the ballot. He also had his No. 23 retired by the Cubs later that year and briefly had a stint from 2013-15 as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, Sandberg’s first MLB team.
Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg dies after battle with cancer
Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg lost his battle with cancer on Monday. He was 65. A 20th-round selection by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1978 MLB Draft, Sandberg quickly moved through the Phillies system despite his humble beginnings. He made his major league debut at the end of the 1981 season, getting six plate appearances in 13 games, his only hit coming off of a bat he borrowed from shortstop Larry Bowa. Drafted as a shortstop, the Phillies hoped that Sandberg would be the heir apparent for Bowa. However, that 13-game stint convinced the Phillies that he was not the answer. Although Sandberg had played at second and third as well in the minors, he was blocked at those positions by Manny Trillo and Mike Schmidt respectively. Bowa and Sandberg were traded to the Cubs during the 1981-82 offseason, with shortstop Ivan DeJesus heading to Philadelphia. Sandberg, now a second baseman, had a solid first two seasons in Chicago before exploding into stardom in 1984. He posted a .314/.367/.520 batting line in his 700 plate appearances, hitting 19 homers and 36 doubles while stealing 32 bases as he led the Cubs to their first postseason berth since 1945. Sandberg made his first All-Star Game, was named the NL MVP, won a Silver Slugger and his second Gold Glove award. A perennial All-Star, Sandberg possessed a combination of power and speed at second base that was rare for his era. He was a 10-time All-Star, winning nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Sluggers. Sandberg posted a lifetime .285/.344/.452 batting line in his 9282 plate appearances, hitting 282 homers and 403 doubles while stealing 344 bases. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame 2005 in his third year on the ballot. After a decade away from the game, Sandberg returned as a minor league manager in the Cubs system in 2007, moving up the ladder to Triple-A in 2009. After Cubs manager Mike Quade was fired, and Sandberg was passed over for the opening, he joined the Phillies organization in 2011. After three years in the Phillies organization, he became the interim manager in 2013, and was eventually hired full-time at the end of the season. Sandberg lasted just over two years in total as the Phillies manager, resigning after 74 games in 2015 as the losses piled up. He remained in the game as a goodwill ambassador for the Cubs before announcing that he had prostate cancer in 2024. Although his cancer had gone into remission, it returned in December, spreading to other organs before Sandberg ultimately lost his battle. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Sandberg during this difficult time.
Top Islanders Star Tells Asst. GM, 'You Better Not Trade Me'
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