5 Colts players seeking to make statements in pivotal contract year

Pro Football Focus listed five returning Indianapolis Colts players that are projected to hit the open market next offseason, who could become some of the most sought-after free agents at their respective positions in 2026. 

Pro Football Focus listed five returning Indianapolis Colts players that are projected to hit the open market next offseason, who could become some of the most sought-after free agents at their respective positions in 2026.

Indianapolis built its identity through its offensive line and the Colts return both starting tackles Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith in the final year of their deals. The Athletic listed Raimann, who is entering his fourth NFL season and has started 40 of 45 games played during his career, as the No. 14 best available free agent for the 2026 offseason. Raimann missed three games last season after suffering a concussion and a knee injury. His 90.7 PFF run block grade ranked fifth among qualified left tackles in 2024. The 27-year-old is still on his rookie deal and is expected to earn $3.9M this season.

The Colts revised Smith’s contract to create more salary cap space as he enters the final year of his four-year extension he signed in 2021. The 29-year-old revealed he dealt with a severe obsessive-compulsive disorder called religious scrupulosity last season, which kept him absent from the final five games of the Colts regular season and nearly drove him beyond retirement. Smith has started 92 games across his first seven NFL seasons, and he’s set to earn $10.4 million this season, according to Spotrac.

The Colts continued to add depth to their front line during the draft, selecting the massive 6-foot-8, 340-pound tackle Jalen Travis out of Iowa State in the fourth round of April’s NFL Draft. While 2024 third-round draft pick Matt Goncalves is projected to slide inside to right guard for the upcoming season, both Goncalves and Travis may become the Colts long-term options on the right side of the line.

Receiver Alec Pierce is coming off a career-year after he led the Colts with 824 receiving yards and 7 TDs on just 37 catches. Pierce averaged 22.3 yards per reception, which led all NFL receivers in 2024. If he can piggyback off his outstanding campaign, the former second-round draft pick could set himself up for a massive pay raise. The Colts developed an efficient downfield threat as 45% of Pierce’s targets last season were on throws 20-plus yards downfield. The 25-year-old won’t touch the figures of teammate Michael Pittman Jr., who is set to make $29M in 2026, but he could command one of the biggest raises among his draft class. Pierce told reporters Wednesday he will allow his free agent to take the lead in negotiations with the Colts.

On the defensive side of the football, edge rusher Kwity Paye is also coming off an impressive season. Indianapolis selected Paye with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and picked up his fifth-year option last offseason. Paye led the Colts with eight sacks in 2024, while setting career highs with 12 QB hits and 10 tackles for loss. The 26-year-old is set to earn $13.4M this upcoming season and could fetch offers to be compensated among the league’s elite pass rushers.

Strong safety Nick Cross emerged as a full-time starter last season and maintained his role for all 17 games, which led to a massive compensation bonus of nearly $1M. The Colts drafted Cross in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Cross led the Colts with three interceptions and set career highs with 146 total tackles, including 87 solo tackles and six tackles for loss.

Indianapolis’ front office faces more difficult decisions regarding five current starters, while moving forward into the 2025 season.