Like every NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts will lose a few players after the upcoming season. They lost key free agents like quarterback Gardner Minshew and running back Zack Moss this offseason.
Ryan Kelly is set to be a free agent next year. The longest-tenured Colt is one of the league’s top centers. While there have been rumors of him retiring, he will likely re-sign with the team. The Colts can’t afford to lose the four-time Pro-Bowler. They’ll likely do whatever it takes to keep him.
Kelly should return to Indianapolis. But who are some players who could leave in 2025?
3 Players Who Might Be Entering Their Final Season with the Colts
Joe Flacco
Minshew was brilliant for the Colts last season, filling in for the injured Anthony Richardson. The former sixth-round pick nearly helped the team reach the playoffs.
Minshew, though, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. That put the Colts in need of a backup quarterback. Yet, shortly after Minshew left, the Colts replaced him by signing veteran Joe Flacco.
Flacco is coming off a great 2023 season. He won NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors after taking the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs.
Flacco will serve as Richardson’s primary backup this year. The former Super Bowl MVP has 16 NFL seasons under his belt. Therefore, he should prove to be the ideal mentor for Richardson. But seeing that Flacco’s 39 years old and is on a one-year deal, he’ll likely retire in 2025.
Mo Alie-Cox
Mo Alie-Cox has been a Colt since 2017 when he signed as an undrafted free agent. In his six seasons in Indy, he has caught 102 passes for 1,286 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Indianapolis has a ton of tight ends on the roster. The tight end room consists of Jelani Woods, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory, Kylen Granson, and Alie-Cox. With that said, one of those guys may be cut before the regular season. Alie-Cox could be that guy.
But then again, Allie-Cox could stick around and stay on the roster for the 2024-25 campaign. The 30-year-old will be a free agent next year. Look for the Colts not to re-sign him and focus on their younger tight ends. Alie-Cox will certainly be expendable if Woods has a breakout year, and the others continue to improve.
Dayo Odeyingbo
Dayo Odeyingbo had a productive 2023 season. The Colts defensive end posted a career-high eight sacks. He also recorded 29 pressures, 38 tackles, and 17 quarterback hits.
Odeyingbo is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Another solid season could put him out of Indy’s price range. The team drafted fellow defensive end Laiatu Latu in the first round of this year’s draft. Plus, they picked up Kwity Paye’s fifth-year option for the 2025 season.
The Colts re-signed a bunch of players this off-season. They brought back free agents like Michael Pittman Jr., Grover Stewart, and Kenny Moore II. Plus, DeForest Buckner and Zaire Franklin received contract extensions.
Indianapolis could retain Odeyingbo as well. Don’t be surprised, though, if he leaves and lands an expensive deal with another team next spring.
Main Image: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
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