Shane Steichen‘s Colts just finessed the salary cap like pros—but not to hoard cash. Nah, they’re making space for something (or someone) big. In the NFL, when a team frees up millions, it’s never just for fun. It’s a setup for a major move. And with Indy stuck in a four-year playoff drought, this could be the start of a serious glow-up.

Indy just released DT Raekwon Davis to the curb, saving about $6.5 million. Let’s be real—no one’s shocked. Dude didn’t exactly pop off last season, and with that hefty contract? Yeah, it was time. Now, the Colts have even more cash to throw around as they prep for free agency.

Davis signed a two-year, $14 million deal last offseason, but his production was mid at best. He played all 17 games and barely made noise—just 15 tackles and one pass deflection. That’s not the kind of stat line that keeps you around. So, instead of keeping dead weight, the Colts said ‘boy, bye‘ and freed up some spending money.

Before this, Shane Steichen’s Indy had about $34 million in cap space, sitting at 17th in the league. Now? They’re rolling with over $41 million, which gives them more flexibility to make moves. And word on the street is… they might be cooking up something wild—bringing in Daniel Jones.

But don’t think Indy is putting all their eggs in the Danny Dimes basket. They’ve also been linked to Justin Fields and Jacoby Brissett, so they’re clearly keeping their options open. It’s giving QB Hunger Games.

And let’s not forget the D-line situation. They still have to figure out what to do with Dayo Odeyingbo, who’s reportedly looking for a bag—like $16–$20 million per year. If that’s too rich for Indy’s blood, they might hit up free agents like B.J. Hill or D.J. Jones to fill the gap.

With free agency around the corner, the Colts are setting themselves up to actually be active for once. The legal tampering period kicks off March 10, meaning teams can start negotiating before contracts become official on March 12. Whether they go all-in on a QB, revamp the defense, or both, these next few weeks are gonna be spicy.

Top Comment by Mike

Maybe we should focus on Sam Ehlinger!

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Debate

Colts stir the QB pot: Is Anthony Richardson’s job safe?

The Colts are basically saying, yeah, we like Anthony Richardson… but not enough to hand him the starting job on a silver platter. Reports are swirling that Indy is actively shopping for a veteran QB—not just for vibes and mentorship, but to actually push Richardson for QB1. GM Chris Ballard is all about that ‘iron sharpens iron‘ life, and this move screams, prove you’re ‘it’ or we’ll find someone else who is.

And guess who’s at the top of their list? Daniel Jones. Yep, Danny Dimes himself. Just a couple of years ago, the Giants threw a bag at him, thinking he was the guy. Fast forward to now, and he went from franchise QB to being benched, cut, and chilling on the Vikings’ practice squad. Tough scene. While there are some rumors/speculations around Jones going to Vikings. The Colts are seeing potential. GM Chris Ballard made it clear: “Everything’s on the table. I think it’s good for the team. I think it’s good for Anthony.” They think Steichen’s system might be the perfect place for Jones to get his groove back.

The thing is, Indy isn’t the only team eyeing him. The Browns are also lurking, especially with Deshaun Watson’s injury situation being a whole mess. And it’s not just them—the 49ers, Lions, Ravens, Raiders, and Dolphins have all been linked to Jones. So if the Colts really want him, they better lock it in fast before someone else scoops him up.

Then there’s Justin Fields, who might just be the biggest wildcard in all of this. Unlike Jones, Fields still has a major upside. He’s an absolute freak athlete, a legit dual-threat QB who can burn defenses with his legs. But his passing? Yeah, still inconsistent. If the Colts bring him in, it’s not just to be a backup—it’s to actually compete for QB1.

Fields also wouldn’t cost a ridiculous amount, which makes him even more tempting. Plus, Steichen has a history of cooking with mobile QBs (cough Jalen Hurts cough), so Fields in Indy could lowkey be a perfect match. He’s young, raw, and still developing, but in the right system? He could go crazy. That’s why the Colts are keeping tabs on him.

Of course, other options are floating around—Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, Gardner Minshew—but let’s be real, none of them are bringing the same hype. Darnold and Wilson have been all over the place, and while Minshew was solid last year, he’s not exactly about to start a QB controversy. The Colts want someone who can really push Richardson, or maybe even take over if things go sideways.

Bottom line? The Colts aren’t waiting around to see if Richardson levels up—they’re applying pressure. Whether it’s Jones, Fields, or someone else, Indy is making one thing clear: If you want that QB1 spot, you gotta earn it. And with free agency heating up, things are about to get real spicy in Indianapolis.