Stampede Blue
The Colts have a greater opportunity to spend in free agency (as do other NFL teams), but will they finally do it?
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the NFL has announced to its thirty-two clubs that the 2025 team salary cap limit will increase from $255.4 million last year to the $277.5 to $281.5 million range this upcoming season—which is at least $22 million higher than 2024’s prior limit:
That means the Colts should immediately have salary cap space of a projected $35.2 million available per OverTheCap.
However, that number could even increase further depending on what the Colts do with a few high-priced veteran players including: defensive tackle Raekwon Davis ($6.46M), defensive end Samson Ebukam ($7.49M), and right tackle Braden Smith ($16.75M).
That number could also decrease a bit, as the Colts have a number of former free agent starters to potentially re-sign: center Ryan Kelly, offensive guard Will Fries, defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo, linebacker E.J. Speed, and safety Julian Blackmon among them.
Longtime Colts general manager Chris Ballard has historically been very prudent as it relates to signing any external high-priced free agents. However, facing a likely ‘make-or-break’ 2025 campaign, he’s acknowledged that he may have to tinker with his prior philosophies a bit.
Whether that means the Colts will actually looking to make a major splash in the first couple of waves of NFL free agency remains to be seen, but there are a number of holes that Indianapolis needs to fill—particularly on defense with new veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo needing an infusion of talent and better ‘horses’ to successfully compete.
In particular, the Colts have holes at starting safety and linebacker, whereas cornerback and edge rusher could withstand to be improved as well going forward. On offense, the Colts desperately need a playmaker and difference-maker as a receiver at starting tight end.
