Why ESPN’s Shocking Verdict on the Colts’ 2026 Free Agency Could Change Everything

According to ESPN’s Ben Solak, the Indianapolis Colts currently have one of the NFL’s bottom tier free agency classes, coming in at 27th overall, which was highlighted by the priority re-signings of both quarterback Daniel Jones and wideout Alec Pierce:

27. Indianapolis Colts

Key acquisitions and returning players: Daniel Jones, Alec Pierce, Arden Key, Colby Wooden, Micheal Clemons, Cam Taylor-Britt, Akeem Davis-Gaither, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

I loved: Retaining Pierce and tagging Jones. The Colts rightfully prioritized the young rising star wide receiver and let the injured mercenary quarterback “test the market” on the transition tag. Although Pierce’s $28.5 million per year has some sticker shock at first, it will quickly be outstripped by an ever-rising wide receiver market.

I would have liked to see the Colts earnestly investigate quarterback alternatives (read: sign Kyler Murray), but they were always going to bring back Jones, who looked like the final solution to their QB woes for about nine weeks last season. Jones’ two-year deal is extremely cuttable after one season, giving the Colts the flexibility they need as they navigate his Achilles recovery.

I didn’t love: The defensive back seven. This is about as thin of a linebacker and safety room as I’ve seen in the post-free agency, predraft space. The current projected starters at linebacker are Austin Ajiake, Jaylon Carlies and Davis-Gaither. At safety, Hunter Wohler will replace Nick Cross. The Colts have tried to find viable starters on minimum contracts in Juanyeh Thomas and Jonathan Owens, but it’s a bleak outlook in the back seven for Indianapolis. Without a first-round pick, the Colts will struggle to fill all of their current gaps.

It’s a little perplexing to me that Solak is as concerned at safety. While two-year starter Nick Cross departed in free agency, the Colts still have Cam Bynum, and their apparently very high on Hunter Wohler, who was a rookie who missed all of last season with a Lisfranc injury suffered during preseason.