The most likely scenario is a minor cut or a futures contract, but what will be the first news out of 56th street that makes you raise an eyebrow or even both eyebrows? There are a few options, including an extension, a re-sign, a restructure, a cut, or maybe a trade. The next official date on the calendar is for designating franchise or transition players. This happens on the 17th, but other moves could be made prior.
The extension.
You are usually trying to lock down a player that has performed well for you and is deserving of a raise. My mind goes quickly to Dulin. He’s been making special teams and backup money for seven years, to the tune of just over 17 million. That special teams work is now more Pro Bowl level special teams work and he has always shown stable when given the chance to line up as a receiver. With Pierce and Pittman being two of the biggest question marks entering next season, having a solid backup plan would be a good idea.
One other thought for an extension. Could you extend Richardson? Based on his performance to date, he would not be due a big buck contract on the open market. If he was offered a couple of more years of guaranteed money, including picking up his 5th year option, might he stay in a system he is familiar with? Maybe he believes that he can re-establish himself as the starter if Jones is not signed, or make his mark if Jones arrival is delayed. It could be the safer play than moving to another team and hoping for a shot. It might help us, as he could be more enticing as a trade chip if he has a manageable contract for a couple of years.
The re-sign.
There are two players that will dominate this conversation, with one being an almost unanimous “Do it!” and the other being perceived as less of a slam dunk. Of course, nearly everyone wants to keep Pierce. He has earned his money to this point and deserves to get paid for his services going forward. He could get a franchise tag, but a longer contract would be preferred. Jones is less of a priority for some. Detractors will point to injuries and much of his success coming against weaker teams. I know that “dollar value” and “length” are sticking points for some, while others (including myself) believe that he is the best option and will be ready to go. It is also possible that if you still believe that AR is the long term answer, you see no need in using up cap space for DJ. Maybe there are others, but not double eyebrow raisers.
The restructure.
Many would go straight to Pittman for this, trying to relieve some of that 29 million cap hit this year. When you restructure, you end up giving even more money to the player and I can’t see that as a strong play for Pitt. I don’t want to jettison his contract, but I feel I need to. I’d see about going the restructure route with Taylor. He made 15.5 last year and will make the same this year, then walking into free agency in 2027 as a 28 year old RB. Would he play for 10 this year if we added two more years at that 15.5 number? A running back can see it all go away quickly, so some guaranteed money until his year 30 season would make sense. There are other candidates, but I’d explore this one to try and save 5 million.
A cut.
This is as easy as “We would prefer to have the savings, rather than your contributions next year.” If this is my first move, I have to make it Franklin. I can save 6 million and never have to watch a replay to see how poorly he covered a TE, or how he didn’t get deep enough in his zone. He’ll latch on somewhere, but I’m willing to give a shot to a rookie or a guy who has been biding his time on a bench. Pitt is a candidate based on cap savings alone, but I’d exhaust the trade and renegotiation options first.
The trade.
My preference would be to get something useful out of Pitt, but his salary is going to get in the way of deal. Aside from that, I think you bite the bullet and get what you can for Richardson. I understand that AR is a polarizing entity among Colt fans. You either think that he has gotten a raw deal and that all he still needs is playing time, or you think he is too often injured and may now be more of a distraction than an asset. It will play out one way or the other and it could easily still be three years, before we know which side was correct.
In my humble opinion, very little changes the Colts stars, unless they improve the DL. We could get good play out of Jones, Richardson, and dark horse Leonard. We could get good enough WR play if we lose AP or Pitt. We could even get adequate play from a RB, without JT. I believe that we can’t improve the DL enough with a draft pick in the 2nd round, so we will have to spend some money and/or draft capital to help that aspect. To do that, we will have to save some money somewhere else.
Do you agree that finding some pass rush is the quickest way to team improvement? If so, who are you paying and how would you solve the pass rush problem by saving money somewhere else? When I look at all the options, I’m afraid I see the need to save money on Pittman. If I can get a player in a trade, that would be my first choice, but if a cut is the only way to upgrade my DL, I have to let him go. He may not be on the Colt brass’ good side. I found this article where Pitt claims that DJ’s leg was more severe than was shared and happened in week 10.
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