2016 Colts - Free Agency

INDIANAPOLIS - Free agency started and went with barely a wimper at the Colts offices. It's hard to tell, and nobody would confirm it, but management didn't even come in to the office until it was time to start talking about the draft. Ownership can rest knowing they are the champions, but things are going to get tough financially.

PRE-FREE AGENCY NEGOTIATIONS

After splurging on free agent last year, the Colts found themselves in a situation where they would need to show some serious restraint, but they also ended up in a sticky situation. Due to financial concerns, an enormous number of starters were allowed to leave without receiving an offer from the Colts. It was hard, but necessary, and GM Phil Emery wasn't happy to see them go.

Indianapolis decided to part ways with Trent Richardson, Dwayne Allen, Prince Amukamara, Brandon Spikes, William Moore, Coby Fleener, Vick Ballard, and Darius Butler. The saddest, and hardest, move was letting Reggie Wayne walk. The long-time Colts favorite is just not part of their future plans, so they had to make the decision to let him either retire or sign on elsewhere.

The only players to sign new contracts were T.Y. Hilton and Andrew Luck... in a sense. Thanks to the financial situation, the Colts were not able to come up with the money for a long-term contract with Luck, so the team was forced to use the franchise tag in the hopes that next season will allow them to lock him up.

FREE AGENCY

Indianapolis, as expected, was basically inactive during free agency. With Ballard leaving town the team needed to look for some HB depth, so they landed on a short term contract with Marcus Lattimore. He figures to be the 2nd HB on the depth chart behind Justin Forsett.

It was smart of Emery to let so many guys walk, as they landed some hefty contracts elsewhere. Richardson ended up signing a 5-year $25.8 million contract with the Giants, Amukamara signed a 5-year $56 million deal with the Dolphins, and Allen cashed in big time by signing a 7-year $61 million deal with Washington.

The Colts have a number of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but they just didn't have the cap space to take care of it now. The draft will have to be their source of salvation.