The Indianapolis Colts, often underestimated as the 2024 NFL season approaches, are gearing up to prove their doubters wrong. Despite losing quarterback Anthony Richardson to a season-ending injury early last year, the Colts managed a 9-8 record, narrowly missing the AFC South title by just one game behind the Houston Texans. The Colts’ opponents in 2024 would be wise not to overlook them.
This offseason, the Colts have been aggressive in their roster management, aiming to enhance their team for the upcoming season. A significant focus has been on retaining key players, with Michael Pittman Jr., Zaire Franklin, Kenny Moore II, and Grover Stewart all signing multi-year extensions. Clearly, the Colts are committed to keeping their core players.
In free agency, while primarily focused on retaining talent, the Colts also made strategic additions. Notably, they signed veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to mentor and back up Anthony Richardson. Flacco, who led the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs and earned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023, brings valuable experience. Additionally, defensive tackle Raekwon Davis was signed to a one-year deal to add depth to the defensive line.
The 2024 NFL Draft further bolstered the Colts’ roster. They selected UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu with their first-round pick and added Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in the second round, along with several other picks to strengthen their offensive line and defense.
These moves position the Colts to be competitive in the increasingly tough AFC South. However, some of their offseason decisions come with significant risks. Below, we’ll delve into two of the riskiest moves the Colts made this offseason and examine their potential impact on the 2024 season.
