Colts face plenty of decisions heading into free agency
FILE - Indianapolis Colts tackle Eric Fisher (79) drops into pass protection during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard faces a litany of questions as free agency opens. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard faces a litany of questions as free agency opens.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
FILE - Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard faces a litany of questions as free agency opens. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
FILE - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) scrambles for yardage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Washington Commanders have agreed to acquire quarterback Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday, March 9, 2022, because the deal cannot be finalized until the start of the new league year next week. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
FILE - Indianapolis Colts tackle Eric Fisher (79) drops into pass protection during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard faces a litany of questions as free agency opens. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
FILE - Indianapolis Colts tackle Eric Fisher (79) drops into pass protection during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard faces a litany of questions as free agency opens. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard faces a litany of questions as free agency opens.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard faces a litany of questions as free agency opens.(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
FILE - Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard faces a litany of questions as free agency opens. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
FILE - Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) during an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, in Indianapolis. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard faces a litany of questions as free agency opens. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger, File)
FILE - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) scrambles for yardage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Washington Commanders have agreed to acquire quarterback Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday, March 9, 2022, because the deal cannot be finalized until the start of the new league year next week. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
FILE - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz (2) scrambles for yardage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Washington Commanders have agreed to acquire quarterback Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday, March 9, 2022, because the deal cannot be finalized until the start of the new league year next week. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-8)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LT Eric Fisher, RG Mark Glowinski, CB Xavier Rhodes, DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, RB Marlon Mack, WR T.Y. Hilton, WR Zach Pascal, DT Tyquan Lewis, DT Taylor Stallworth, DE Kemoko Turay, OG Chris Reed, S George Odum, S Andrew Sendejo, CB T.J. Carrie, TE Mo-Alie Cox, OT Matt Pryor, LB Matthew Adams, LB Zaire Franklin, DE Isaac Rochell, DT Antwaun Woods, OL Sam Tevi, OL Julie’n Davenport, K Michael Badgley, OL Jake Eldrenkamp.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Ashton Dulon, LB Skai Moore, DT Rob Windsor, CB Nick Nelson, WR Quartney Davis.
NEEDS: Now that the Colts are planning to trade Carson Wentz to Washington, general manager Chris Ballard finds himself in the quarterback market — again — and flush with salary cap room to make a splashy move. But Ballard also has other priorities. He may be seeking replacements for LT Eric Fisher and RG Mark Glowinski, both free agents. Ballard still hopes to lock up All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson with a contract extension, and he’s looking to add playmaking receivers and pass rushers, too. What else? How about a landing a dynamic tight end following this week’s retirement of two-time Pro Bowler Jack Doyle, or finding a new starting cornerback. These next few weeks also could mark the end of two local fan favorites: WR T.Y. Hilton and RB Marlon Mack.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $67.7 million.
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