Colts Face Uncertain Offseason After Disappointing 2026 Season

Indianapolis has cap space but questions at quarterback and key free agents to address

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Indianapolis Colts had high hopes for the 2026 NFL season, but a late-season collapse and an injury to starting quarterback Daniel Jones derailed their playoff aspirations. Now, the team faces an uncertain offseason with key decisions to make regarding their quarterback situation, free agents, and how to best utilize their projected $35 million in cap space.

Why it matters

The Colts were expected to be a contender in the AFC this past season, but their inability to sustain success and Jones' injury exposed roster weaknesses. How Indianapolis addresses those issues this offseason will be crucial in determining whether they can bounce back and return to the playoffs in 2027.

The details

The Colts have 60 players under contract for 2026 and seven total draft picks, though they lack a first-round selection. Their most notable free agent is wide receiver Alec Pierce, while defensive tackle Grover Stewart is the most likely roster cut. The team also faces a decision on whether to exercise the fifth-year option on quarterback Anthony Richardson.

  • The Colts' 2026 season ended in disappointment after they failed to make the playoffs.
  • Indianapolis has approximately $35 million in projected cap space heading into the offseason.

The players

Daniel Jones

The Colts' starting quarterback in 2026 who played well early but saw his season end due to injury.

Alec Pierce

Indianapolis' most notable pending free agent, a key piece of their passing attack.

Grover Stewart

A defensive tackle who is the most likely roster cut for the Colts this offseason.

Anthony Richardson

The Colts must decide whether to exercise the fifth-year option on their young quarterback.

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What they’re saying

“The Colts took a big swing at midseason with the expectation that they were going to the playoffs, but they didn't play as well in the second half, then lost Jones, which ended their playoff hopes.”

— Bob Morris, Author (substack.com)

What’s next

The Colts will need to address their quarterback situation, either by re-signing Daniel Jones, finding a veteran free agent, or potentially trading for a new starter. They must also decide on Anthony Richardson's fifth-year option and determine which of their own free agents, such as Alec Pierce, they want to re-sign.

The takeaway

Indianapolis has the cap space to be active in free agency, but their offseason success will hinge on how they handle the quarterback position and whether they can retain key contributors like Alec Pierce while also addressing roster weaknesses exposed by their late-season collapse in 2026.