
The Indianapolis Colts have been quite busy through the month of March, adding about 20 players through various means, breaking the bank for free-agent signings in the process.
Leading up to the start of free agency, the prevailing outside tone for the Colts was that they had to be big spenders to achieve win-now status in 2026. However, they would need to create more salary cap space to do so.
The Colts made a few cost-cutting moves, trading Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers. They even restructured the contract of left tackle Bernhard Raimann, freeing up about $8.25 million more to work with.
At this point, the Colts have $26.6 million in salary cap space, according to OverTheCap.com, which is plenty to address some of the remaining holes on the roster.
With all the money they've spent already, here is how their new contracts have shaken out, according to Spotrac.com:
Two years, $88 million ($44M per year)
$60 million guaranteed ($49.49M at signing)
Potential out: 2027: $46.8 million cap left - $25.3 million dead cap left = $11.6 million savings
Incentives:
Four years, $114 million ($28.5M per year)
$84 million guaranteed ($60M at signing)
Potential out: 2029: $32.2 million cap left - $10.4 million dead cap left = $21.8 million savings
Incentives:
Nov 23, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Arden Key (49) prepares to enter the field before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Nelles-USA TODAY Network via Imagn ImagesTwo years, $16 million ($8M per year)
$11 million guaranteed (all at signing)
Potential out: 2027: $9.25 million cap left - $4.25 million dead cap left = $5 million savings
Incentives:
Three years, $17 million ($5.67M per year)
$6.99 million guaranteed ($5.99M at signing)
Potential out: 2027: $12.5 million cap left - $3 million dead cap left = $9.5 million savings
Incentives:
One year, $2.725 million
$1.5 million guaranteed
Potential out: 2026: $2.725 million cap left - $1.5 million dead cap left = $1.225 million savings
Incentives:
One year, $2,687,500
$2,187,500 guaranteed
Potential out: None, dead cap exceeds cap hit
One year, $2.25 million
$2.25 million guaranteed
Potential out: None, fully guaranteed
Incentives:
One year, $1,487,500
$437,500 guaranteed
Potential out: 2026: $1.3 million cap left - $437,500 dead cap left = $825,000 savings
One year, $1,487,500
$937,500 guaranteed
Potential out: 2026: $1.3 million cap left - $937,500 dead cap left = $325,000 savings
One year, $1,487,500
$537,500 guaranteed
Potential out: 2026: $1.3 million cap left-$573,500 dead cap left = $689,000 savings
One year, $1.415 million
$300,000 guaranteed
Potential out: 2026: $1.155 million cap left - $300,000 dead cap left = $855,000 savings
Dec 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) takes the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesOne year, $1,402,500
$437,500 guaranteed
Potential out: 2026: $1.3 million cap left - $437,500 dead cap left = $825,000 savings
One year, $1,402,500
$687,500 guaranteed
Potential out: 2026: $1.3 million cap left = $687,500 dead cap left = $575,000 savings
One year, $1,402,500
$187,500 guaranteed
Potential out: 2026: $1.3 million cap left - $187,500 dead cap left = $1.075 million savings
One year, $1,332,500
$437,500 guaranteed
Potential out: 2026: $1.3 million cap left - $437,500 dead cap left = $895,000 savings
One year, $1.22 million
$25,000 guaranteed
Potential out: 2026: $1.22 million cap left - $25,000 dead cap left = $1.195 million savings
One year, $1.195 million
None guaranteed
Potential out: 2026: $1.2 million cap left - $0 dead cap left = $1.195 million savings
Three years, $3.1 million ($1.03M per year)
$120,000 guaranteed (all at signing)
Potential out: 2026: $3.11 million cap left - $130,000 dead cap left = $2.98 million savings
*This piece will be updated as more Colts free agent signings are made.