Indianapolis Colts: Highs and Lows of Free Agency Day 1

Indianapolis Colts LB E.J. Speed. (Photo from Colts.com)

The Indianapolis Colts were a bit more active on day one of NFL free agency than most expected. The Colts re-signed two players while also going out a signing a free agent to a four-year, $22.5 million deal. These contracts totaled to $33.6 million, much more than the team usually spends this early in the offseason.

High: Indianapolis Colts Re-Sign Tyquan Lewis

Indianapolis Colts DE Tyquan Lewis (94). (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

The Indianapolis Colts started the day off with a very team-friendly deal. Defensive end Tyquan Lewis and the team agreed to a one-year “prove it” deal worth $2.1 million (a little over two times his potential minimum salary). Lewis was a vital part of the team’s pass rush. This was brought to light following his season-ending injury suffered during the Indianapolis Colts’ matchup with the Washington Commanders.

During this Week 8 matchup Lewis totaled six pressures on 26 pass rush snaps, per Pro Football Focus, before going down in the fourth quarter. Lewis hit quarterback Taylor Heinickie twice while continually making life difficult for him. Heinickie found time in the pocket only after Lewis exited the game with his injury. This allowed Heinickie to find Indianapolis Native Terry McLaurin for a deep shot that would set up the eventual game-winning score.

Specifically, Lewis tore the patellar tendon in his left knee. A ruptured patellar tendon is historically one of the most challenging injuries to recover fully. Around the NFL writer, Chris Wesseling wrote:

“The patellar tendon anchors the thigh’s quadriceps muscle to the shin, allowing the knee to flex and extend. Because it’s so integral to running and cutting, it’s not usual for strength and explosiveness to return at a reduced level.”

Wesseling wrote this and the rest of his article “Torn patellar tendon no longer a career death knell?” back in 2016 after players like Victor Cruz and Jimmy Graham had solid seasons after full recovery from a ruptured patellar tendon. It’s 2023 and we don’t have to look that far back or at any other players when predicting Lewis’ recovery.

Almost exactly a year before Lewis ruptured his left patellar tendon, he ruptured the right one in a Week 8 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Lewis was ready for the 2022 preseason, and with the help of the A+-rated Indianapolis Colts training staff (rated by the players), I expect Lewis to be healthy for the 2023 preseason as well.

The concern for a drop-off in athleticism is expected but not necessary. Lewis was able to produce at a high level, arguably higher than he had in the past, after recovering from the same injury. Lewis is primed to be a solid rotational piece for the Indianapolis Colts’ DE room.

High: Indianapolis Colts Re-Sign E.J. Speed

Indianapolis Colts LB E.J. Speed (45). (Photo by Jenna Watson/USA TODAY Sports)

The Colts were able to re-sign another vital Colt to a team-friendly deal. Linebacker E.J. Speed agreed to a two-year deal worth $9 million.

15 linebackers were signed or re-signed at the time of writing this, and E.J. Speed gradded higher than nine of them on PFF’s overall defensive categorie. On a per year basis Speed’s contract is cheaper than ALL contracts with their detalis released besides Raekwon McMillan who signed a one-year deal with the Patriots worth $1.6 million.

Speed produced flashes of play that resembled a starting caliber NFL linebacker, and filled in exceptionally well in the absense of Shaquille Leonard. The Tarleton State product has a keen nose for the ball, especially in late-down short-yardage situations. Speed is a run-stopping feind and he is in the process of becoming a fearsome pass rusher.

He was the best run defender on the Indianapolis Colts this season acording to PFF. On 184 snaps Speed totald 19 run stops (designated as a play where the runner is brought down within two yards of the line of scrimmage). Spped’s average depth of tackle was at 2.8 yards, so even if he didn’t get the “stop” he still brought down the ball carrier for a minimal gain.

Speed is expected to start alongside Shaquille Leonard and Zaire Franklin in the upcoming season, due to unfortunate circumstancces we will talk about now.

Low: Former Indianapolis Colts LB Bobby Okereke Signs with the New York Giants

NYG LB Bobby Okereke (58). (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The writing was on the wall. Bobby Okereke play his way out of the Indianapolis Colts and Chris Ballard’s price range. Okereke signed a well-deserved four-year $40 million contract with the G-men.

Okereke provided great snaps for the Colts for four seasons. After taking him in the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft (89th overall), the Colts found a spot for Okereke immediatly, starting him in the thrid game of his NFL career. Okereke played a total of 3,199 snaps across 64 games for the Shoe and accumulated 316 tackles.

Okereke will continue to produce in the NFL and the Indianapolis Colts, from owner to fanbase will miss him greatly.

High: Indianapolis Colts Find the Kicker of the Future

Indianapolis Colts K Matt Gay (8). (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)

The Indianapolis Colts are signing former Los Angeles Rams kicker Matt Gay to a four-year deal worth $22.5 million. This number is being reported as the biggest free agent deal for a kicker in the history of the NFL. This may come as a suprise to people familair with the free agent strategy of Chris Ballard, who is known to keep a tight hold on his pocketbook during the off-season.

There are a couple reasons that this contract is the biggest for a kicker in NFL history: 1, Gay is a pinpoint accurate kicker with the consistency to stay in the NFL for a long time. In his three seasons with the Rams, Gay went 74/80 on feild goals with half of his misses coming over 50 yards. He also went 95/97 on extra points during this time.

The second reason why Gay recieved the biggest free agent contract for a kicker in NFL history is that if a kicker is that good he will not hit free agency. Justin Tucker, the best kicker in the NFL, signed a contract extension before he hit the market in 2022. The Falcons extened Younghoe Koo for five-years before he was able to hit the open market in 2022 as well.

The Indianapolis Colts secured one of the best kickers in the NFL and filled a roster hole that many teams fail to adress. That is exactly what free agency is about.