Last season, the Indianapolis Colts retained 82% of the active roster from 2023, which was by far the highest percentage in the NFL. The end result in 2024 featured a disappointing 8-9 record and the Colts missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
Colts GM Chris Ballard confessed it was a mistake to “run it back” with the same roster that failed to reach the playoffs in 2023. One dilemma that has plagued Indy during Ballard’s nine seasons as GM is being unable to figure out a solution at quarterback. Just two seasons and 17 starts after Anthony Richardson was given the keys to the franchise, Ballard publicly announced the Colts would hold an “open competition” for starting quarterback in 2025. The Colts signed six-year veteran Daniel Jones on a one-year deal worth up to $17 million to compete for the job.
Indianapolis returns eight starters on offense after interior offensive linemen Ryan Kelly and Will Fries signed with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. There is a case for the Colts needing interior offensive line depth following the departures of two starters. The Colts re-signed Wesley French and Danny Pinter, which should give both homegrown players an opportunity to earn a full-time starting job during training camp.
Indianapolis has seven returning starters on defense after defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo signed with the Chicago Bears and linebacker E.J. Speed signed with the AFC South rival Houston Texans. There were emanating issues on defense as Indianapolis ranked 28th in the league allowing 7.15 passing yards per play, 29th allowing 361.2 total yards per game, and 30th allowing 44% of third downs to be converted into first downs.
Ballard took a more aggressive approach this offseason and used the open market to upgrade the secondary by signing two starting defensive backs in safety Camryn Bynum and cornerback Charvarius Ward to lucrative, long-term deals.
Colts GM Chris Ballard is excited about the teams haul in free agency!
QB Daniel Jones
S Camryn Bynum
CB Charvarius Ward
DT Neville Gallimore
CB Corey Ballentine
RB Khalil Herbert@heykayadams | @Colts | #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/9oXxVMdI63— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) March 31, 2025
Bynum discovered how family-oriented the Colts organization is after having discussions with former Colts cornerback Stephon Gillmore. As Bynum enters his fifth NFL campaign, he brings both versatility and leadership to the Colts with 54 starts in 65 career games. Bynum, who signed a four-year, $60 million deal, believes his best attribute is setting an example of how players should work and be focused on a daily basis.
“Just my journey here was really going through the free agency thing,” Bynum told reporters. “They reached out and you could just tell that it was a team that was aggressive. Just the way you could tell when certain people truly want you and just talking to my agent and everything, this is one of the places that they are really eager to get me.”
I asked #Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell what the #Colts will get in Cam Bynum:
“… depending on what scheme they’re gonna play Cam in, he’s got the versatility to really be a deep field safety, an at-the-line-of-scrimmage player, a blitzer. … He’s really done it all.”
Vikings pic.twitter.com/LURuk43TYb
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) April 1, 2025
The Colts cycled through eight different starting cornerback sets across the last two seasons, so landing a coveted cornerback like Ward on a three-year, $60 million contract may perhaps become the most significant acquisition to rebuild the secondary. Both players come from prosperous organizations and can help create a winning culture inside the locker room.