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Colts Updated Free Agency Picture
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- Colts Updated Free Agency Picture
(Eric Canha-Imagn Images)
The Indianapolis Colts signed P Rigoberto Sanchez to a two-year contract extension.
This week, the Indianapolis Colts gave punter Rigoberto Sanchez a two-year contract extension , just weeks after doing the same with superstar running back Jonathan Taylor , keeping both in town through 2028.
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The future of several veterans entering the final year of their contracts has been a hot topic for Colts fans throughout the offseason. While Taylor was discussed much more than Sanchez, it does cross two big priorities off the list for 2027.
After recently signing free-agent wide receiver Keenan Allen to a one-year deal , the Colts have a projected $31.6 million in salary cap space for 2026 , which could be affected by any new moves, depending on how things are structured.
Here are the most notable remaining Colts veterans in the final year of their contract and their current age.
DT Adetomiwa Adebawore , 25
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This is a big season for the fourth-year interior pass rusher. Adebawore has flashed more and more each year, registering 34 pressures in 359 snaps last year. He's had a terrific summer in training camp and the preseason, notching several in-practice sacks and tied for second on the team in pressures (three) in the two preseason games.
TE Mo Alie-Cox, 32
The Colts have shown no plans to go their separate ways with Alie-Cox, outside of signing him to one-year deals in consecutive offseasons. As the primary blocking tight end, he serves a different purpose than Tyler Warren , so the Colts may keep it rolling with Alie-Cox until the wheels fall off.
DT DeForest Buckner , 32
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Buckner's situation will be very interesting to watch throughout the year, and the contract almost certainly won't be addressed until afterward. He missed five games in 2024 with a high ankle sprain and seven in 2025 while going on Injured Reserve twice with a herniated disc in his neck. He underwent surgery on New Year's Eve and returned in time for training camp. He's expected to be ready to roll for Week 1.
WR Josh Downs , 25
The Colts could find themselves in an Alec Pierce-type situation where Downs' monetary value explodes from one offseason to another. Currently, Downs is considered a solid, reliable slot receiver, but a season of playing inside and out and reaching 1,000 yards could enrich his price tag next offseason.
WR Ashton Dulin , 29
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Mr. Do-It-All ain't going anywhere anytime soon. Dulin is stepping into a larger role at receiver this year while perhaps earning more reps in the return game as well. At nearly 30 years old, he may benefit from waiting until after the season to sign so that he boosts his value with career-best numbers.
K Blake Grupe , 27 or K Spencer Shrader , 27
The Colts held a kicking competition this offseason between Shrader and Grupe. Shrader tore his ACL after five games last year, following AFC Special Teams Player of the Month honors, and Grupe kicked for the Colts for the final five games of the season. Grupe never missed as a Colt and got a hot start to his offseason. He led Shrader in field goal percentage by about 20% throughout spring and summer practices, but Shrader turned up the volume during the preseason, going 5-of-5 on field goals, including two from 60 yards or longer. Grupe went 2-of-4, with misses from 36 and 61 yards. Both players' current Colts contracts expire at the end of the season, although one of them will be gone by the end of today due to preseason roster cuts.
LG Quenton Nelson , 30
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Nelson should likely be considered a career Colt. He's still at the top of his game, making the Pro Bowl in each of his eight seasons, as well as six All-Pros. It's hard to imagine his value getting any higher or lower at this point, so it'd make sense if he were the next player to be extended.
TE Drew Ogletree , 28
The Colts don't view having both Ogletree and Alie-Cox as redundant, so as long as both players are performing well as blockers, expect the Colts to maintain their interest in keeping them around.
QB Anthony Richardson Sr., 24
Richardson requested a trade back in February, which hasn't come to fruition. Regardless of whether he stays on the roster throughout the season, it feels unlikely that he will remain a Colt beyond 2026. They didn't pick up his fifth-year option, meaning he's set to hit free agency next offseason.
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DT Grover Stewart , 32
Stewart will turn 33 during the season, so he could be at a point in his career where it winds down with a series of one-year deals, but as long as he remains a high-motor player who's dominant in the run game, the Colts will want him to anchor their defensive line. Just as long as the financials make sense.
CB Cam Taylor-Britt , 26
This year is an opportunity for Taylor-Britt to rehab his reputation as a player. He fell out of favor with the Cincinnati Bengals last year under a new defensive coaching staff, being benched as a starter and ultimately missing much of the year with a foot injury. Now reunited in Indy with Lou Anarumo, who was his defensive coordinator in Cincinnati, Taylor-Britt has looked better this summer than he did last year. With Mekhi Blackmon already cut, expect Taylor-Britt to play significant snaps for the Colts' defense in 2026. With starting corner Charvarius Ward Sr.'s injury outlook being murky, Taylor-Britt could factor into the Colts' future.
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DT Colby Wooden , 25
The Colts traded former top linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers for Wooden, so it wasn't an insignificant addition. Basically, all of their three-tech tackles are free agents after the season, but with a promising first year in Indy, Wooden could prove to be the heir apparent to Buckner.
UPDATE: The Colts released Wooden on Sunday.
