This offseason has been unlike the previous years with Chris Ballard at the helm of the Indianapolis Colts front office.
Through two weeks of free agency, the Colts have spent a lot of money. They traded away a first-round pick and are taking one-year shots on veterans who can provide solid depth.
For the most part, those moves have been met with high praise. The trade for DeForest Buckner gives them an elite talent at the three-technique. The signing of Philip Rivers upgrades the quarterback position. Re-signing Anthony Castonzo is a bigger deal than some realize.
Through these three moves alone, the Colts received an “A” grade in free agency from Nate Davis of USA TODAY.
Three major moves, all by different means. QB Philip Rivers comes aboard for $25 million and might be closer to the 2018 version of himself while being protected by a first-rate offensive line … which should remain so after LT Anthony Castonzo re-signed for two years. GM Chris Ballard is generally quite measured when it comes to procuring outside talent, but trading his first-round draft pick (No. 13 overall) for DT DeForest Buckner, who also received a four-year, $84 million extension, should be a tremendous boost on the field and in the locker room.
Entering this offseason with some cap flexibility, Ballard was able to make the move for Buckner and sign him to an extension. Even with Rivers holding a $25 million part of the salary cap, they can still add depth to other areas of need—as we have seen with the signings of Sheldon Day and Xavier Rhodes.
The Colts are looking at their window of opportunity, hoping to take advantage of it quickly. With the division up for grabs, Ballard has made some big moves.
Those moves are being regarded in high praise through the early part of the offseason and while it’s impossible to tell how it will all turn out in the end, it seems the Colts are heading in the right direction.
