Which Indianapolis Colts players will leave next offseason? This spring, several players left Indianapolis and took their talents elsewhere. Center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries left as free agents and both signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Instead of protecting Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones, they’ll now help out quarterback J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota.
Meanwhile, linebackers EJ Speed and Grant Stuart both left. Speed signed with the Houston Texans and Stuart headed to the Detroit Lions. In addition, Joe Flacco returned to the Cleveland Browns, and fellow quarterback Sam Ehlinger went to the Denver Broncos. Here are three Colts players who might not return in 2026.
3 Indianapolis Colts Players Who Might Leave the Team During the 2026 Offseason
Kwity Paye
Indianapolis selected Kwity Paye with the 21st overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The team picked up his fifth-year option last offseason. Paye led the Colts in sacks a season ago with eight. He also set career highs with 12 QB hits and 10 tackles for loss.
Paye will earn $13.4M this upcoming season. The talented defensive end is set to be a free agent in 2026. He could receive offers to be compensated among the league’s elite pass rushers. If that’s the case, perhaps the Colts will choose not to re-sign him, and he’ll go somewhere else like Dayo Odeyingbo did this offseason. Odeyingbo signed a three-year, $48 million deal with the Chicago Bears.
The Colts drafted Laiatu Latu in the first round of the 2024 draft. Then they selected fellow defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau in the second round this year. If the two youngsters have outstanding 2025 seasons, it will make it easier for the Colts to lose Paye in free agency.
Anthony Richardson
The Colts selected Anthony Richardson fourth overall in 2023. He was supposed to develop into the team’s franchise quarterback. That hasn’t materialized yet. So far, Richardson‘s career has been marked by injuries and trouble throwing the football. He completed just 47.7 percent of his passes last season. He has shown flashes, though, of becoming an elite dual-threat quarterback.
Richardson will compete with Daniel Jones for the starting job this upcoming season. He could win the job and wind up having a breakout 2025 campaign. But if he struggles mightily, he could be sent packing in 2026. Then the Colts would likely look to draft his replacement next offseason.
Braden Smith
It’ll be interesting to see how Indy‘s offensive line performs in 2025. Losing Kelly and Fries hurts, but the unit should be just fine. Seven-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson is still around. Right tackle Braden Smith is another reason the offensive line should be solid. Since being drafted in the second round in 2018, Smith has been a consistent contributor, appearing in 94 games with 92 starts. He started all 12 games he played in 2024. He plays like a Pro Bowler when healthy and possesses the ability to anchor the right tackle position.
Smith agreed to a revised contract this offseason, but he’ll be a free agent in 2026. It won’t be surprising if he pulls a Will Fries and heads to another team.
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