Getty
Shane Steichen will enter his fourth season with the Colts
After the 2025 NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts appear to be moving in the right direction.
Indy appears to have found its potential franchise quarterback in Daniel Jones. Running back Jonathan Taylor almost recorded over 2,000 total scrimmage yards, which would have been the second time in his career. First-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tyler Warren was one of the best players at his respective position. Wide receivers Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr both registered over 700 receiving yards despite the quarterback situation. The Colts offensive line was the second-best in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Colts made several moves throughout the 2025 season to bolster their defense, including the signings of safety Camryn Bynum and cornerback Charvarius Ward. Indianapolis made the biggest move of the 2025 trade deadline by trading two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in exchange for Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets.
Second-year player Laiatu Latu had improved from his rookie season, doubling his sack count, recording 45 tackles, logging 3 interceptions and 5 pass deflections from the defensive line.
Indianapolis has the talent to make a big stride in the 2026 season, but one NFL writer believes the Colts could add some more talent to the defense.
Adding All-Pro Experience
GettyThe Indianapolis Colts can get a big boost on the defensive side of the ball
As mentioned, the Indianapolis Colts have the players to be considered a playoff contender — Indy had one of the best records in the league after Week 8 before injuries piled on the team.
Looking at the 2026 season, Indy needs some consistent, healthy players for the future of the Colts.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report believes that Indianapolis should trade for Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, but at the cost of releasing Zaire Franklin, who has been with the team for 8 seasons.
“Cutting Zaire Franklin would free up a lot of cash for a Colts team that already has a surplus of cap space. It would also pave the way for them to get aggressive in finding a linebacker who can lead the defense,” Ballentine wrote. “The AFC North has two veterans who could make sense as targets.”
“Teddye Buchanan and Trent Simpson have shown flashes that they could take over the linebacker job in Baltimore. With Jesse Minter taking over, the Ravens might not feel they need someone of Roquan Smith’s financial obligations in the middle of the defense.”
The Colts are set to have around $35 million in available cap space for the 2026 season, with more if the team does decide to cut Franklin.
Franklin is entering the last year of his had an off-season compared to the three previous seasons he’s played. The linebacker recorded 125 tackles, which is the lowest he had since the 2021 season.
While the defender has shown that he can continue to play at a high level, Smith could offer a bit more to the Colts. Smith is a five-time All-Pro who recorded 130 tackles, which is also a slight regression from his career norm, but he has averaged over 100 tackles in every season of his career.
Franklin received a 38.4 overall grade from PFF, the second-lowest out of 88 qualifying. Compared to Smith, who had a 74.7 grade.
The linebackers are just a year a part in age, but it is a matter of the Colts coaching staff and front office if they decide who will be on the 53-man roster next season.
What Would It Take To Acquire Roquan Smith?
GettyLB Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens.
Alex Ballentine did not drop a trade prediction on what it will take the Indianapolis Colts to acquire Roquan Smith. But the biggest issue for the Colts is getting back Daniel Jones.
The quarterback was well on his way to having his best passing season in the NFL before his injuries.
Jones was on a one-year prove-it deal and was able to show that he can be a starting caliber quarterback in the NFL.
For Indy to be contenders, they will need to re-sign Jones, which will already be a large chunk of the team’s cap space for the 2026 season.
Then acquring Smith would be the next move if the Colts want to bolster the linebacker group. The defender will have a $32 million cap hit for the 2026 season, which would be hard to handle with Jones’ new contract.
But if the front office can make magic happen, the All-Pro would be a solid addition to the Colts team.
Jason Garcia Jason Garcia is a sports contributor for Heavy Sports who joined the team in 2025, covering the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. More about Jason Garcia
More Heavy on Colts
Loading more stories