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-   -   2026 Off-Season Thread (http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206856)

Puck 03-05-2026 05:54 PM

John Davis
@joohndavis
·
3h
This has me thinking about Daniel Jones return timeline.

Tatum will have returned from an Achilles tear in 299 days.

By opening NFL Sunday, it will have been 281 days since Jones tore his Achilles.

Both are 28 years old. Colts banking on an even faster return than Tatum.

apballin 03-05-2026 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 344422)
John Davis
@joohndavis
·
3h
This has me thinking about Daniel Jones return timeline.

Tatum will have returned from an Achilles tear in 299 days.

By opening NFL Sunday, it will have been 281 days since Jones tore his Achilles.

Both are 28 years old. Colts banking on an even faster return than Tatum.

Football has a little more contact than Basketball Johnny

Puck 03-05-2026 06:03 PM

Lawrence Owen
@Colts_Law
·
17h
Alec Pierce's catch total, per year he's been with the #Colts:

2025: 47 (4th on team)
2024: 37 (3rd)
2023: 32 (3rd)
2022: 41 (3rd)

Any other GM/HC seeing this:
You don't want him that badly. 😂😇

Puck 03-05-2026 06:59 PM

Albert Breer
@AlbertBreer
·
6h
The Bills had sniffed around on AJ Brown and Alec Pierce, so they were actively looking for veteran receiver help. They wind up with DJ Moore, who'll be reunited with Joe Brady, his offensive coordinator in Carolina in 2020 and 2021.

Puck 03-05-2026 07:38 PM

Derek Larger
@derek_larger
·
10h
Michael Pittman's best season was 2023: 109 receptions, 1,152 yards, 4 TD's

Alec Pierce had 100 less yards than that in 2025, with 62 less receptions and 72 less targets!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure, Pittman makes more receptions most years than him, but Pierce does way more with less!

YDFL Commish 03-05-2026 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 344433)
Albert Breer
@AlbertBreer
·
6h
The Bills had sniffed around on AJ Brown and Alec Pierce, so they were actively looking for veteran receiver help. They wind up with DJ Moore, who'll be reunited with Joe Brady, his offensive coordinator in Carolina in 2020 and 2021.


The Pats are going to be coming hard for Pierce. If they get him, I will hate Ballard for the rest of my life!

Colts And Orioles 03-05-2026 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldcolt (Post 344409)



I read where Pierce is prioritizing QB stability and a strong established winning culture ...... neither of those exist in Indianapolis.





Quote:

Originally Posted by apballin (Post 344420)



Yeah, OK ...... where the fuck is that ???




o


Saskatchewan.

o

apballin 03-05-2026 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 344435)
Derek Larger
@derek_larger
·
10h
Michael Pittman's best season was 2023: 109 receptions, 1,152 yards, 4 TD's

Alec Pierce had 100 less yards than that in 2025, with 62 less receptions and 72 less targets!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure, Pittman makes more receptions most years than him, but Pierce does way more with less!

Fuck that guy, 2 totally different type of receivers

Pittman has played with a different QB every fuckin year and sent a message to the entire team by playing with a broken fuckin back. That’s why he’s a captain and a team leader.

I’m not taking anything away from Pierces progression but I will not stand for Pittman bashing in the meantime

Puck 03-05-2026 08:27 PM

Zach Hicks
@ZachHicks2
·
16m
This would have less to do with the salary cap and more to do with finding different players for Anarumo’s system


Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter
·
19m
The Colts are speaking with teams about a trade for their former Pro Bowl LB Zaire Franklin as they look to get under the salary cap by next week, per sources. Franklin led the NFL in tackles in 2024.

ChoppedWood 03-05-2026 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YDFL Commish (Post 344438)
The Pats are going to be coming hard for Pierce. If they get him, I will hate Ballard for the rest of my life!

You KNOW that is where this is headed. Super young stud QB who throws a beautiful deep ball= TAILOR MADE for him.

...and for what it is worth, I already hate him for the rest of your life!

ChoppedWood 03-05-2026 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 344441)
Zach Hicks
@ZachHicks2
·
16m
This would have less to do with the salary cap and more to do with finding different players for Anarumo’s system


Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter
·
19m
The Colts are speaking with teams about a trade for their former Pro Bowl LB Zaire Franklin as they look to get under the salary cap by next week, per sources. Franklin led the NFL in tackles in 2024.

If someone offers Ballard an 8th round pick this year, and a 10th next year, dude is gonna pull the trigger on that sweetheart of a deal!

Puck 03-05-2026 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood (Post 344443)
If someone offers Ballard an 8th round pick this year, and a 10th next year, dude is gonna pull the trigger on that sweetheart of a deal!

They are probably trying to see if there is any value before they release him

Puck 03-05-2026 09:16 PM

SAUCE GARDNER
@iamSauceGardner
·
Mar 4
should I lock Alec Pierce in my basement and force him to sign the contract papers?

ChoppedWood 03-05-2026 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 344448)
SAUCE GARDNER
@iamSauceGardner
·
Mar 4
should I lock Alec Pierce in my basement and force him to sign the contract papers?

No, fuck that, lock Ballard in the basement and NEVER let him out!

Puck 03-05-2026 09:48 PM

Zach Hicks
@ZachHicks2
·
6m
Bills pivoting to DJ Moore. Titans going after Wan’Dale Robinson. Patriots (I’m assuming) are aiming for AJ Brown.

Wonder if all the Alec Pierce suitors are pivoting because they think Pierce stays in Indy (I’m hoping at least)

Puck 03-05-2026 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood (Post 344449)
No, fuck that, lock Ballard in the basement and NEVER let him out!

You know....If he pulls all of this off. You are gonna have to admit you were wrong.

Hoopsdoc 03-05-2026 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 344446)
They are probably trying to see if there is any value before they release him

I don’t see them getting much of anything out of Franklin. A late round pick maybe. More likely they just end up releasing him.

I wouldn’t think it’s to much of a loss but for the fact that we have zero linebackers.

Puck 03-05-2026 11:06 PM

Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter
·
38m
Bears are releasing former Pro-Bowl LB Tremaine Edmunds, per sources. Edmunds has been a full-time starter in each of his eight NFL seasons, and he now will become a free agent with 900 tackles on his resume.

ChoppedWood 03-05-2026 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 344451)
You know....If he pulls all of this off. You are gonna have to admit you were wrong.

Oh I will admit it, but this dude only pulls one thing, his own fucking pud. Dude is a testimony to terrible!

Puck 03-05-2026 11:59 PM

Evan Sidery
@esidery
·
1h
Kyler Murray has interest in joining the Vikings or Colts as potential free agent destinations, per
@AlbertBreer
(https://si.com/nfl/albert-breer-mail...inline-text-43).

Who Minnesota prioritizes between Daniel Jones, who can be signed off the transition tag, and Murray could determine which QB lands where.

ChoppedWood 03-06-2026 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 344459)
Evan Sidery
@esidery
·
1h
Kyler Murray has interest in joining the Vikings or Colts as potential free agent destinations, per
@AlbertBreer
(https://si.com/nfl/albert-breer-mail...inline-text-43).

Who Minnesota prioritizes between Daniel Jones, who can be signed off the transition tag, and Murray could determine which QB lands where.

Please please please fucking no. Dude can't see the field- and not just from a height deficit, from a understanding fucking routes perspective. Hell fuck no!

Hoopsdoc 03-06-2026 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood (Post 344461)
Please please please fucking no. Dude can't see the field- and not just from a height deficit, from a understanding fucking routes perspective. Hell fuck no!

Ugh. Choosing between Murray and Jones is like choosing a less stinky turd.

For the record, I think I’d choose Murray.

albany ed 03-06-2026 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 344435)
Derek Larger
@derek_larger
·
10h
Michael Pittman's best season was 2023: 109 receptions, 1,152 yards, 4 TD's

Alec Pierce had 100 less yards than that in 2025, with 62 less receptions and 72 less targets!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure, Pittman makes more receptions most years than him, but Pierce does way more with less!

IMO, Both are quality receivers.

Pierce is a deep threat and has only scratched the surface of his potential.

Pittman is a drive extender. He keeps the chains moving and that is valuable. Not 29 million dollars valuable, so he either needs to have his contract tweaked or he needs to go.

Puck 03-06-2026 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albany ed (Post 344464)
IMO, Both are quality receivers.

Pierce is a deep threat and has only scratched the surface of his potential.

Pittman is a drive extender. He keeps the chains moving and that is valuable. Not 29 million dollars valuable, so he either needs to have his contract tweaked or he needs to go.

I like MJP. He was down in numbers last season but was injured. Dude played with a broken back. He is tough as hell and would probably be missed
But yea that injury makes me wonder if they can/should renegotiate or try to move him.

albany ed 03-06-2026 12:13 PM

Franchise tag amounts are based on the top 5 of the position. For wide receiver, that amount is 27 million. For next season MJP has a cap hit of 29 million.

That's 10% of the entire salary cap. Add in DJ and together they take up 22% of the entire cap.

BCN#1 03-06-2026 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 344459)
Evan Sidery
@esidery
·
1h
Kyler Murray has interest in joining the Vikings or Colts as potential free agent destinations, per
@AlbertBreer
(https://si.com/nfl/albert-breer-mail...inline-text-43).

Who Minnesota prioritizes between Daniel Jones, who can be signed off the transition tag, and Murray could determine which QB lands where.

My gut sez hell no but then again, if Richardson bails, we can get Murray at Vet Minimum just in case DJ is not ready and shits the bed. Murray is no step up but has at lest seen the field a few times.... Just my clueless but humble ass opinion.

IndyNorm 03-07-2026 09:56 AM

I'm sure most of you guys have seen it, but Maxx Crosby is going to the Ravens for the Ravens 2026 and 2027 1st rounders. Too bad we weren't able to get in on that.

Also, Ryan Kelly retired. So kudos to Ballard for proactively drafting a replacement and allowing Kelly to walk when we did.

YDFL Commish 03-07-2026 09:59 AM

I don't want any midget QB on my team.

IndyNorm 03-07-2026 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaosTheory (Post 344130)
Maybe, but you're right, it's hindsight. Basically any hypothetical you throw out will look better and we don't have the luxury of seeing the outcome. Some people think Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes wouldn't be what they are if they didn't sit. I don't particularly agree, but that's also a separate topic.

Steichen’s track record with QBs belies the claim that AR failed due to a lack of mentorship. Between Herbert, Hurts, Minshew, Jones... Seems AR is the outlier, not Steichen's mentorship.

I think there's a huge tendency for people to act like these players are simply chess pieces controlled by their masters. Jalen Hurts had plenty of issues and concerns, but he was also showing up to the building for 12-15 hour days.

All that said, I don't hate on AR like it may sound. I think the injuries definitely derailed progress and he has worked to fix things. But damage was already done and I don't begrudge them if they try to salvage something in a trade.

All of the QBs you mentioned had significantly more playing experience than AR and were older than him as well. If ever there was a case to bring in a vet mentor and try to develop a QB slowly AR certainly was it, and the shit show results definitely prove it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's all the Colts fault. AR certainly played his part as well, but IMO the Colts organization failed AR just as much as he failed them. And not just in his play development. Take his eye injury for example. Why didn't someone from the Colts staff have AR safely use a piece of exercise equipment designed to old resistance bands rather than allow him to use a makeshift setup in his locker?

IndyNorm 03-07-2026 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCN#1 (Post 344489)
My gut sez hell no but then again, if Richardson bails, we can get Murray at Vet Minimum just in case DJ is not ready and shits the bed. Murray is no step up but has at lest seen the field a few times.... Just my clueless but humble ass opinion.

If we do move AR and Murray is willing to sign at or near the vet minimum then sure, why not. But I'm sure he'll want at least a 1 year show it deal similar to what we signed Jones to.

Hoopsdoc 03-07-2026 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyNorm (Post 344519)
If we do move AR and Murray is willing to sign at or near the vet minimum then sure, why not. But I'm sure he'll want at least a 1 year show it deal similar to what we signed Jones to.

Wherever Murray goes, it will be for the league minimum because he’ll be getting paid by Arizona. I think 1.3 million is the minimum for a player of his experience.

It makes him a much more attractive option, in my opinion.

However, it’s highly unlikely the Colts are even interested, unless some team signs Jones to a massive contract, which isn’t going to happen.

They tipped their hand when they tagged Jones over Pierce. They want Jones to be their quarterback.

Puck 03-07-2026 11:40 AM

Evan Sidery
@esidery
·
17h
Alec Pierce is now forecasted to earn a three-year, $80+ million deal in free agency, per
@espn
.

This figure would make Pierce the 13th-highest paid receiver in the NFL alongside George Pickens and Jameson Williams.

Momentum is building around Pierce soon leaving the Colts.

Puck 03-07-2026 12:18 PM

Jake Arthur
@JakeArthurNFL
·
22h
DJ Moore and (maybe) AJ Brown getting moved, and Kyler Murray and Geno Smith hitting the market, help make the landscape less needy for Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce. Colts could be getting some good luck there.

Hoopsdoc 03-07-2026 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck (Post 344521)
Evan Sidery
@esidery
·
17h
Alec Pierce is now forecasted to earn a three-year, $80+ million deal in free agency, per
@espn
.

This figure would make Pierce the 13th-highest paid receiver in the NFL alongside George Pickens and Jameson Williams.

Momentum is building around Pierce soon leaving the Colts.

I think the Colts are going to have to overpay like crazy if they want to keep Pierce. I don’t think Ballard will do that so I suspect he’s leaving.

If the money is equal, Pierce would be crazy to stay here and play with the revolving door at quarterback when he could go play with Drake Maye.

Puck 03-07-2026 12:31 PM

SleeperNFL

@SleeperNFL
·
17h
.
@RomeovilleKid
believes the Colts could pivot to signing Rashid Shaheed if Alec Pierce walks.

Puck 03-07-2026 12:36 PM

Jebediah
@itsJebediah
·
Mar 6
Colts players likely on trade block and cap space gained if traded successfully.

• Richardson (confirmed) +$5.4m
• Franklin (confirmed) +$5.8m
• Moore (pending) +$7.1m
• Stewart (pending) +$12.2m
• Buckner (pending) +$15.8m
• Pittman (pending) +$24m

Total Net: +$70.3m

Oldcolt 03-07-2026 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoopsdoc (Post 344523)
I think the Colts are going to have to overpay like crazy if they want to keep Pierce. I don’t think Ballard will do that so I suspect he’s leaving.

If the money is equal, Pierce would be crazy to stay here and play with the revolving door at quarterback when he could go play with Drake Maye.

You have to hope Pierce has developed deep ties with Indianapolis and has relationships he doesn't want to lose on the team. It is difficult from a purely football perspective to make an argument for him to stay. Just a bummer

Puck 03-07-2026 01:08 PM

Destin Adams
@TheDestinAdams
·
Mar 6
Albert Breer shared that he's heard that Kyler Murray has interest in the Colts in free agency

I know many are not a fan of the idea, but to be honest, I think the thought of Murray on the league minimum is very intriguing.

Colts And Orioles 03-07-2026 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldcolt (Post 344409)



I read where Pierce is prioritizing QB stability and a strong established winning culture ...... neither of those exist in Indianapolis.





Quote:

Originally Posted by apballin (Post 344420)



Yeah, OK ...... where the fuck is that ???





Quote:

Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles (Post 344439)
o


Saskatchewan.

o

o


Old Colt, I'm not necessarily asserting that there is not an NFL team that could possibly accommodate Pierce on his lofty expectations, but I couldn't resist a joke that actually had a certain amount of truth to it ...... Saskatchewan just won the Grey Cup, they have one of the best quarterbacks in the CFL, and it would indeed be a challenge for Pierce to find an NFL team that had a winning culture, an excellent quarterback, the room in their salary-cap budget to pay him the loads of money that he will probably be asking for on a long-term contract, and the willingness to give him that kind of money. ) ;)

o

IndyNorm 03-07-2026 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoopsdoc (Post 344520)
Wherever Murray goes, it will be for the league minimum because he’ll be getting paid by Arizona. I think 1.3 million is the minimum for a player of his experience.

It makes him a much more attractive option, in my opinion.

However, it’s highly unlikely the Colts are even interested, unless some team signs Jones to a massive contract, which isn’t going to happen.

They tipped their hand when they tagged Jones over Pierce. They want Jones to be their quarterback.

Ah, didn't know that Murray had a bunch of guaranteed money coming to him from AZ. So yeah, agree that brining him in at the vet minimum would be a good move. AT worst we can just release him and no harm, no foul.

Agree w/ you on your 2nd point as well. Unless someone outbids us for Jones then we won't be brining Murray in.


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