The Indianapolis Colts have released veteran slot cornerback Kenny Moore II and safety Nasir Adderley, and waived linebacker John Bullock.
The Indianapolis Colts announced that they have released veteran slot cornerback Kenny Moore II after viable trade opportunities failed to materialize.
Along with Moore, the Colts also released safety Nasir Adderley and waived linebacker John Bullock.
Moore recently requested a trade and was granted permission by the team to seek out a new destination. However, after the 2026 NFL Draft ended in April, Moore requested his release from the team this week.
"I had a talk with Kenny. Think very highly of Kenny, not only me personally, but organizationally," Colts general manager Chris Ballard told reporters before the draft. "And I know the city feels the same way. Talking to him, he just felt like it was time for a change. Nothing much more than that.
"And because of our respect level for Kenny, we said, ‘Okay.’ Not always easy, especially when you get a pillar that's been a pillar, not only on our team, but in the community. I think most of you know my relationship with him; it's close. And so those are not always easy conversations, but they were respectful and good, and we'll see how it works out."
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) runs 49 yards for a touchdown after intercepting a pass by Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, during a game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectMoore will be 31 years old when the 2026 regular season begins, and the Colts seemingly added his replacement in the third round of last year's draft, Justin Walley.
Walley was one of the most talked-about players by the team last offseason, and while the Colts initially liked his fit as the heir apparent to Moore in the slot, a mountain of injuries at cornerback had Walley filling in outside. Ultimately, he suffered a season-ending ACL injury during training camp.
Moore is also entering the final year of his contract, which holds no guarantees and represents a $13 million salary cap hit. Parting with his contract before June 1 creates $7 million in cap space for the Colts.
With Walley expected to replace Moore in the slot, it limits the Colts' boundary corner depth. They have Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward Sr. as starters, now with Cam Taylor-Britt, Mekhi Blackmon, Johnathan Edwards, Jaylon Jones, and Cameron Mitchell behind them. Behind Walley in the slot are Wyett Ekeler and Rob Carter Jr., who have zero NFL snaps between them.
In 132 career games (111 starts) with the Colts, Moore totaled 649 tackles (39 for loss), 11.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered, 21 interceptions, 68 pass breakups, and five defensive touchdowns.
He made his first-career Pro Bowl in 2021 after a career-best 102 tackles and four interceptions.
The Colts signed Adderley on April 14 following a three-year absence from football, but he was part of an incredibly crowded Colts safety group. The Colts claimed Bullock off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the beginning of January.