While some will leave, the team must do everything possible to re-sign others.
2024 is a big offseason for the Indianapolis Colts. While they are coming off a nine-win season that restored promise for the franchise, the Colts have some offseason obstacles to clear to make sure that the future stays bright. Those obstacles are mainly in free agency.
Indianapolis has several core veterans set to be free agents this offseason. Guys like Michael Pittman Jr., Kenny Moore II, Grover Stewart, Julian Blackmon, Gardner Minshew, Zack Moss, and Rigoberto Sanchez are all set to be free agents. While Indy has a ton of cap space and could re-sign most of these guys, it’s likely that the franchise will still lose a few.
That means the team will need to prioritize the guys it wants to keep. Obviously, the Colts need to re-sign Michael Pittman Jr., but who else can’t they afford to lose? Nick Shook recently wrote a piece detailing the quarterback free agency market. In the piece, Shook named Gardner Minshew as a player Indy can’t let leave town.
Colts can’t let Gardner Minshew leave town
Shook pointed out that Indianapolis’ season seemed like it was over after rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered a season-ending injury in Week 5. However, Indy had Gardner Minshew ready to step in. With him on the roster, the Colts were able to remain competitive, ultimately winning nine games and ending the season a couple of plays away from a playoff appearance.
Gardner Minshew finished the year completing 62% of his passes for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also added 100 total rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Obviously, if Minshew returns, he’ll return to being Richardson’s backup. Knowing Minshew’s drive to be a starter in the league, that will likely determine whether he ends up back in Indianapolis or not. If another team gives Minshew the opportunity to start, he’ll probably take it. If he can’t find that opportunity, returning to the Colts makes a lot of sense. Indy will certainly welcome him with open arms, as the team needs an insurance option for Richardson
