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The Indianapolis Colts have been relatively quiet again thus far within the ‘legal tampering period’ prior to free agency kicking off tomorrow at 4 pm. To this point the Colts have only a single agreement being reported while other teams have been making the typical splash moves that come this time of season.
The Colts have reportedly agreed to terms with WR Devin Funchess, but most of Colts nation was looking to see additions to the defensive side of the ball which looked to have the more impressive free agency group.
Packers are giving former Bears’ safety Adrian Amos a 4-year, $37 million deal that includes $14 million in year one and $21 million in first two years of deal, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2019
The Colts were linked to pass rusher Preston Smith, and reportedly had widled his options down to Indianapolis and Green Bay. Smith chose to sign with the Packers, and now the Colts are reportedly not pursuing former Steelers’ running back Le’Veon Bell as well.
Source: The Colts are not pursuing Le’Veon Bell.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 12, 2019
Additionally, Landon Collins was thought to be one of the premier targets for the Colts to improve a safety room heading into the 2019 season. The Colts did tender Matthias Farley, but former Bears’ safety Adrian Amos is now off the market as well.
Packers intend to sign former Washington pass-rusher Preston Smith, per @RobDemovsky.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2019
Aside from being out on Bell, and signing Funchess — at least offensively — the Colts also weren’t able to land highly sought after slot receiver Adam Humphries. Trey Flowers was another big name that the Colts were expected to target, yet he has reportedly agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions.
Whether or not the Colts were in either of them to begin with isn’t truly known, but anyway you slice it, they’ve missed out on several of the top-level free agents available.
But, no matter how much Colts fans hope to see some major signing through free agency, we also must remind ourselves of Chris Ballard’s approach. He’s not going to panic.
Bell has a litany of issues which certainly effects what Ballard would decide to do while continuing his roster building process. He, again, has likely been ‘IN’ on a handful of these high-dollar signings, but he appears to be very particular about what he’ll be willing to pay on a strict player-by-player basis.
It is fair to be skeptic to a point given that the Colts have so much money available, as overpaying is simply something that is necessary to do. However, free agency hasn’t even officially started yet, and there are plenty of interesting names still out there and available at all of the Colts’ areas of need going forward.
Don’t freak out just yet.
WR Tyrell Williams is still out there. DE Markus Golden is an interesting option, DT Rodney Gunter, CB Ronald Darby, CB Bryce Callahan, and even a guy like Tevin Coleman are all still interesting possibilities for the Colts. It could still be a very positive free agency period for the Colts yet.