5 questions the Colts face this offseason
The Indianapolis Colts have a big offseason ahead of them, including many questions at some big positions on the roster.
With an abundance of salary cap space and seven total picks in the upcoming draft, the Colts will have plenty of resources to better a roster that finished the season with an 11-5 record.
Here are five questions the Colts face this offseason:
Who will be the QB in 2021?
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It goes without saying but we're still going to say it—or ask it rather. The Colts and Philip Rivers still need to figure out their decisions for 2021. Even if Rivers does return for another season, the Colts could very well draft a quarterback in April. It would likely require a trade-up given they currently have the No. 21 pick. Or if the Colts decide against bringing Rivers back, they could take their chances in free agency or via the trade route. Should Dak Prescott hit the market (he shouldn't), he will be a popular target for many teams. They could also look to trade for Matthew Stafford or Carson Wentz—the former would be the much better choice. It is unlikely Jacob Eason will get the keys to the kingdom so it should be expected that the Colts bring back Rivers, look to bring in a veteran or go through the draft.
How will Indy replace Anthony Castonzo?
AP Photo/AJ Mast
The Colts learned of the news that Castonzo would be hanging up the spikes this offseason after 10 years of being an underrated left tackle in the NFL. Now, they have to find his replacement. Replacing him won't be easy, but it will help that the Colts already have a strong foundation in place on the offensive line. The Colts have four pieces on the line already set so the foundation has already been put in place. It is most likely the Colts will use one of their first two picks in the draft on a tackle but they could look to free agency and bring in a player like Trent Williams or Taylor Moton.
Will T.Y. Hilton be back?
AP Photo/Matt Patterson
The Colts still need to add to the wide receiver room even if Hilton comes back, but this will be a storyline to watch when free agency hits. General manager Chris Ballard spoke about Hilton at his year-end press conference saying that he still believes The Ghost has value and can play in this league. Whether that will result in another contract for Hilton remains to be seen. But it could very well result in the Colts allowing Hilton to test the market even if he'd much rather end his career in Indy.
Any extensions on the horizon?
AP Photo/AJ Mast
The Colts have always kept the mantra of rewarding their own when they can. With an abundance of salary cap space, we could see a number of players get new deals before they are set to expire this offseason. Some players that come to mind include Quenton Nelson, Darius Leonard and Braden Smith. It wouldn't be a shock to see Nyheim Hines get a new contract either. The Colts already extended defensive tackle Grover Stewart. It should be expected that several key players will get a new contract this offseason.
Will they have to replace Matt Eberflus?
AP Photo/Gary McCullough
This is a question that could be answered in the next few days. The defensive coordinator for the Colts has been a popular candidate for vacant head coaching jobs. He's had an interview with the Jets, Chargers and now the Texans despite initially declining the latter of the three. Given his ability to lead a unit and the steps that the defensive took in 2020, Eberflus could be in line to be a head coach as early as 2021. If that happens, the Colts will have a big role to fill on their coaching staff. If that happens, the Colts could stay in house and promote assistants like Dave Borgonzi or Brian Baker, both of which have had a lot of experience with the unit in the last few years.
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