The Indianapolis Colts have been relatively quiet with their offseason moves so far. They have been conservative with their cap space and have made a point of re-signing players rather than adding players. From the outside looking in, it is easy to criticize this quiet approach to free agency. However, there have been some important moves by the Colts this offseason that will translate to success.
The Indianapolis Colts Top Three Offseason Moves
Re-signing WR Michael Pittman Jr.
One of the first offseason moves the Indianapolis Colts made was re-signing their star wide receiver, Michael Pittman Jr. He made a name for himself in this league as a potential top-tier receiver. He has also become a security blanket regardless of who is at quarterback. It should be noted that Pittman has already caught balls from five different quarterbacks and he is just now entering his fifth year in the league.
The main thing that makes this signing so important is that the Colts need a top wide receiver for their young quarterback, Anthony Richardson. The key to the success of young quarterbacks in this league is to have a reliable wide receiver. Three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes relies on Travis Kelce. All-Pro Joe Burrow relies on Ja’Marr Chase. Even a seasoned veteran like Matthew Stafford relied on Cooper Kupp to get him his first Super Bowl ring. The point is that Michael Pittman Jr. has proven that he is just that kind of reliable playmaker. The Colts were very wise to retain him in 2024 and beyond.
Adding QB Joe Flacco
Another crucial offseason move the Indianapolis Colts made was signing quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns. After losing their backup quarterback Gardner Minshew to the Las Vegas Raiders, it was crucial to get his replacement. If there is anything that the 2023 season showed the league, it was that a good quality backup quarterback can be one of the keys to a team’s success.
In 2023, the NFL saw 66 quarterbacks start a game. It was a year in which many star quarterbacks ran into bad luck due to injuries and teams had to make do with their backup situation. Therefore the value of a backup quarterback is high right now. Flacco is coming off a very productive season in which he, as a backup, led the Browns to the playoffs. The 39-year-old veteran still has quite a bit left in the tank and even earned himself an AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2023. Hopefully, the Colts will not need to call upon him in 2024. Nonetheless, the fact that they have a quality quarterback like Flacco to be the backup is what makes this signing so crucial.
Re-signing Grover Stewart
The point has been made before and it needs to be reiterated. Games in the NFL are won at the line of scrimmage. The team that can win in that department almost always ending having the most success. For the Indianapolis Colts, shoring up their defensive line was key to having success. The move to re-sign Grover Stewart was huge because he is an important element within this defensive line. Coupling his talent with DeForest Buckner and newly acquired defensive tackle Raekwon Davis, the Colts are in a good position to be elite in the middle of the line.
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