The Indianapolis Colts and cornerback Kenny Moore II have mutually decided to seek a trade. What should be expected now?
Massive change continues for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, as the team and cornerback Kenny Moore II have reportedly mutually decided to explore a trade for the veteran slot defender.
"Sources: Colts and Kenny Moore II mutually have agreed to seek a trade and a new home for the veteran cornerback," ESPN's Adam Schefter posted on X. "Moore is entering the last year of his contract, and both sides feel it is time to explore a trade."
ESPN's Colts reporter Stephen Holder received a text from Moore, stating, "It’s all good. It’s all love."
Moore 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 would create $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.
The Colts will likely now search for cornerback reinforcements, both in the slot and the boundary, in the upcoming NFL Draft on Thurs., April 23.
There is not much precedent for trading a 30-plus-year-old corner with an eight-figure cap hit, so compensation is likely to be somewhat low for the Colts, likely anywhere between a fifth and seventh-round pick.
Their options are wide open, as they could fill the void as early as the second or third round, and they could look to add a traditional boundary corner, one of the many solid slot defenders available, or even a "big slot" type who comes from the safety position.
Moore is the latest Colts veteran to be placed on the trade block. In February at the Scouting Combine, quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. was given permission to seek a trade. At the beginning of the new league year in early March, the Colts traded away linebacker Zaire Franklin and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., two players who had been captains and considered main leaders on the team, just as Moore is.