Colts Appear to Be Moving on from Frank Gore

On Wednesday, Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich and general manager Chris Ballard spoke with the media at the Scouting Combine. Aside from his introductory press conference, this is the first time that Reich has spoken with the open media contingent. Unsurprisingly, he was asked several questions about some of the players that the Colts currently have and how he envisions things going on offense.

One thing that came up that can now have a punctuation placed at the end of it is that of running back Frank Gore and his future with the Colts. Reich was asked how Gore fits into the Colts’ plans moving forward, and Reich mentioned a meeting between Ballard and Gore. Reich said, “I am aware that Chris and Frank did have a discussion once the season was over, and out of respect to Frank so he could know exactly what was going on, Chris was right up front and said that we probably would be moving on to make the roster a little bit younger at that position.”

Ballard spoke right after Reich at the Combine and was asked a followup to Reich’s answer. Ballard essentially echoed Reich, mentioning the meeting that he had with Gore and that the Colts want to get younger.

This makes perfect sense that the Colts would move on from the impending free agent, nearly 35-year-old Gore. Ballard has been all about making the roster younger since he arrived in Indianapolis just over a year ago, but Gore was a needed veteran presence in the locker room. He also provided stability in a backfield that definitely needed it.

Overall, Gore was an absolute stud for the Colts in his three seasons, given the circumstances. The Colts brought in an “over the hill” tailback and got over 1,200 scrimmage yards and 6.3 touchdowns per year out of him. The future Hall-of-Famer didn’t get the championship with the Colts that he thought he might get, but he was productive and definitely left an impact on his teammates, at the very least.

Under contract for 2018 are Marlon Mack, Robert Turbin, Matt Jones and Josh Ferguson. All bring a little something different from the other, but I would be astounded if the Colts didn’t bring in some new blood at running back — especially in a draft this rich at the position.