Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - LOCKED UP: Indianapolis Colts Lock In Daniel Jones to a Two-Year Extension; What's Next?

Starting point is 00:00:00 The new league year starts, and the Indianapolis Colts have their franchise quarterback and their number one wide receiver under contract. Let's get to it. You are Locked on Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome to Locked on Colts, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network. Now, the number one sports podcast network around. Hello, everyone. My name is Zach Hickshaw resident film nerd of Horshuehuddle.com. Jake Arthur, our typical boots on the ground guy who is here is actually being boots on the ground right now.

Starting point is 00:00:44 He's talking with Alec Pierce and Blake Groupie, the two biggest signings of the offseason for the Colts, obviously. But to replace him for today, I brought on Destin Adams from A to Z Sports to talk all about Daniel Jones, Michael Clemens, Nick Cross, and what is next for the Indianapolis Colts? So Destin, welcome to the show. And we talked Daniel Jones earlier. me and Jake did on like a mini episode just to kind of get our quick initial thoughts out. But now we kind of have, I don't want to call them the official contract numbers. I do trust over the cap. But again, I want to wait until it's like officially out there.

Starting point is 00:01:17 But according to over the cap, the Colts cap hit this year from Daniel Jones's contract is only $14.68 million. Next season, it's a $46.8 million cap hit. The Colts added three void seasons to the end of the deal to spread out that signing bonus. So the Colts opened up about $23 million in cap space this offseason by giving Jones this two-year extension. So two years for $88 million, but because of the way they structured it with the void years and with spreading out the signing bonus, they only have a $14.68 million cap hit this season, according to over the cap. Yeah, I mean, to me, this was always the thing that mattered. Two years up to $100 million, like that's like what everyone's going to run with.

Starting point is 00:02:02 and the rest of the off season, that's all that's going to be talked about is the Colts paid Daniel Jones $100 million. To me, and maybe those listening are not in the same boat, I don't care what the owner pays out. I just do not care what is coming out of their pockets to Daniel Jones. Congrats to Daniel Jones. Really happy for what he was able to get. But the cap hit here is what mattered. To me, what the cap hit is this year, what the Colts are on the hook for in the future, if this doesn't work out. Like, that's what mattered.

Starting point is 00:02:32 So this coming in under $15 million, if that is what it ends up being like over the cap is saying, that's a win. This being a two-year deal in the end instead of a four-year deal where there was going to be void years on that as well to try to lower stuff. Like that's a win. Like those two things are the most important aspects of the Daniel Jones deal, in my opinion. Would I have liked it to be a little bit lower to where you're not looking at a $46 million cap hit next year? Sure. but I do think the important thing to note is 2026 is going to tell us a lot of things.

Starting point is 00:03:04 If it works out, then obviously you're already going to start moving the ball towards getting a new contract done anyway. You're not going to bring a guy who has a really good 2026 season into 2027 with a one-year deal and just roll the dice again. You're going to try to get a longer deal done. And if 2026 doesn't go well

Starting point is 00:03:22 coming off the torn right of Achilles, then the new head coach and GM that comes in in 2027 are going to blow up this. roster anyway and Dale Jones would not be a part of the future. So they're putting everything on 2026, which was by far the smartest thing they could do. Yeah, no, I think when you look at just the way they structured this and also the term on it, the length of on this contract, I think it's as good as you could probably do for the Colts. Like again, Jones was going to get paid, right?

Starting point is 00:03:49 He played well to start last season. He's thought of highly around the league. And if you just like let him go, another team could obviously sign him. So you're going to have to pay him at least a deal. decent contract to get him back. But the Colts did a really good job of avoiding going over the two years, going into the three, four, five year category with him because he's coming off that Achilles injuries and he has struggled early in his career.

Starting point is 00:04:12 So you're able to give yourself that protection there. And again, the cap hit being high next season doesn't really matter that much because if he has a good season, then you're extending him. So it's perfectly fine. I am really intrigued by the void seasons being added to the end. because it does kind of make it a little bit tougher after like it doesn't make it unable to pivot from him, but it makes it a little bit tougher. So it does kind of show like this all in nature of this next season by adding those void years to make you so you can be more aggressive and adding more players this off season.

Starting point is 00:04:45 But yeah, it does help keep the Colts pretty fresh right now in terms of what they can spend the rest of the season. And again, it gives you that protection if he doesn't look good coming off the Achilles. So in a sense of where you like, you knew you were going to pay this guy. you knew who was going to be your quarterback. I think this is as good as you could have gone with the Colts. It's, again, two by 88 sounds scarier in the media because they're running up all those numbers with all the incentives and the bonuses. But that's just not what the contract actually is when you look in the finer details.

Starting point is 00:05:15 One thing I found interesting, though, Destin, I want to get your take on this. They kind of tied wins, QB wins to his deal with his incentives, right? Isn't it like 100K per like win as a starting quarterback with the Colts? that and that can get up to a certain amount of millions or whatever as well. I think I saw something like that in the incentive structure. Yeah, so this is just Chris Bowers showing the world that he, yeah, he cares what Twitter says. So, no, I mean, QB wins is always going to be a fun argument, especially for Colts people when it comes to like quarterback debates and Peyton Manning and Tom Brady and all that jazz.

Starting point is 00:05:49 It's always been there. But, I mean, when you're looking at incentives for next year, like you're not going to just put it on games played. and you got a win next year for this to work out. So it makes sense that that's what they tie it to, especially for our quarterback. Like hitting certain benchmarks is a little bit difficult to, like, go about. And they won a lot of games with him early on last year. So if you're Daniel Jones and you're his team,

Starting point is 00:06:13 tying it to QB wins makes sense. We'll see how it works. I'm really interested to kind of see some of the more verbiage as it comes out because if I had to guess, there's probably some more incentives in there in terms of, like, benchmarks that have to be, like, hit. And I really do wonder if there's any in terms of, like, games played that has to kind of, like, happen for threshold to be hit. Those are the kind of things I'm still waiting to look for.

Starting point is 00:06:39 Yeah, no, for sure. I think those are going to be important to go through. But as of right now, again, I think it's a very feasible contract for the Colts, especially when it comes to a quarterback where it's like, look, I know the Colts had a lot of leverage here, but Jones's camp also had a good bout of leverage. too. The Colts were going to have to pay him by the start of the new league year. So both sides had to come to an agreement eventually, and I think they came together pretty well. And they came to an agreement that, again, I think both sides certainly benefit from.

Starting point is 00:07:07 I've already waited on this, and I'm curious your overall thoughts on this too, Destin. There's been speculation from fans and people like paying all this for a quarterback who won't even be healthy to start the season. From my opinion, he's going to be the starting quarterback in week one. Like, again, I'm not a doctor here, but I don't think at the very worst, what week two, week three, like he's going to be the starting quarterback fairly early this season. I know his camp says they expect to be ready by training camp. That might be a little ambitious, but I do expect him to be good to go by the start of the season. It's like new Achilles surgeries. We see guys get back out there between like seven to eight months.

Starting point is 00:07:45 Again, there's mixed results, obviously, with the data on what they look like when they get back out there. but I fully expect him to start week one. They don't need like a bridge quarterback to come in here and start week one in theory, depending on how he looks by the end of training camp. Yeah, I mean, we don't have much to go off of as like people that have not seen his x-rays. We're not watching him rehab in the building every single day. But I think it's important to note that like Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen in the past have been guys that will leave statements out there that can kind of protect themselves

Starting point is 00:08:18 if something doesn't go through. they really haven't spoken in a way that makes you think there's a chance he's not going to be ready for week one next year. So like that seems to be their expectation. I also think we'll know a little bit in how they act in these next couple of weeks as wave two and wave three of free agency hits. Because if these guys go out there and decide post, I mean, obviously the next thing is whether or not you trade Anthony Richardson. The thought is that it's going to happen. So once he's gone, do you run into training camp with Riley Leonard as the expected back? up quarterback, do you bring in a veteran that may be a little bit more of a safe option to

Starting point is 00:08:54 start week one if Daniel Jones were not to be ready? Like to me, if they go with that like training wheel type of approach where they bring a guy in that could play if necessary, that's going to tell me that they think there's at least a chance that he could not be out there week one. So that's kind of the thing I'm kind of waiting for now is just to see how they act because they haven't told me anything to make me feel as if they're worried yet. Yeah, no for sure. And I want to answer this one quick question from Semper Colts saying that I'm always afraid of Achilles injuries and act like we don't watch you all the time saying that I am terrified of Achilles injuries. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying don't worry about the Achilles injury whatsoever here. But I am someone who follows the

Starting point is 00:09:33 data. The data on Achilles injuries says that it's a death knell for a lot of players, but the only data we have on quarterbacks are four guys and it's very mixed results. So I don't really know how to feel about Achilles with quarterbacks. Look, if all things were equal, I would say avoid the Achilles torn guy, but all things aren't equal. So I'm not going back on my Achilles thing. I am terrified of Achilles, but the Colts aren't terrified of it. He played well early last season, and honestly, the data doesn't even really give me a way to think about this. So it is a tough one for me, but we'll see. We'll see how it works out. The Colts made their bed. They committed to Jones as early as possible this offseason, and it's giving them the flexibility to move the rest of the

Starting point is 00:10:15 year, and they parlayed that into a defensive end signing from Michael Clemens from the Jets. And also, we have some more news on a player departing from the Colts as well. So we'll talk about that in segment two. But first, welcome to the five-hour energy flavor draft with 18 different flavors to choose from, including new options like confetti craze, fruity rainbow, or cotton candy. The board is set as the flavors are ready, and I've got my number one pick for five-hour energy flavor draft. Obviously, it's me here. Fruity Rainbow, baby. That's the best one.

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Starting point is 00:11:22 Find your new favorite flavor of five-hour energy shots available online at five-hour energy. com or Amazon. All righty, locked on Colts, everydayers. We are back. Free agency is off enrolling. It's been going for, I guess, technically, officially 13 minutes now. Free agency has been going crazy across the league. Quiet, a quiet 13 minutes.

Starting point is 00:11:44 Right, 13 minutes. And we're going to get so many deals announced here quick. but free agency is here and so are we so get one month free of the everyday or club with code free agency no spaces through march 15th go ad free and keep the conversation going on discord that discord chat has been pumping recently uh so join that over there at locked on colts dot supercast dot com or even give to subscription to that special someone that's what girls love on a first date honestly uh so make sure you are checking that out so a little bit of news and notes here on the first official day of free agency deston Michael Clemens, Colts signed him to a three-year contract, $17.6 million deal. Again, whatever the insiders and all of them tweet out is what the agents wanted. I'm curious to see what the real numbers are on that contract. But Clemens had just one sack last season with the New York Jets after a career high,

Starting point is 00:12:35 four and a half sacks back in 2024. Now, on the surface, Destin, this is one of those signings where I'm sure a lot of fans are scratching their head and saying, oh, my God, like we're signing a guy who had a one sack last season to fix our pass rush. I'm going to be honest. Watching his film, I'm not going to say that this is like Dniko Autry 2.0 or anything,

Starting point is 00:12:55 but I think there's something there. I think there's a pretty solid player there. Inside Outrusher. I like him more. Like after Quinn and Williams got traded last year, he rushed a little bit more from like that three tech position. And he is just a powerful, powerful player with really strong hands

Starting point is 00:13:10 to displace offensive guards. And while his overall pass rush win rate was kind of mediocre at best, it was like 9.7. When you remove play action plays, and this is what PFF does through their true pass sets, he had a 16.6% pass rush win rate, which is actually second best on the Colts is what it would have been,

Starting point is 00:13:29 and it was top 50 among all edge rushers. So in true pass rushing situations, he actually performed fairly well. I think that like, if you're trying to compare him to Taekwon Lewis, I think this is a big upgrade for the Colts. I think he's much better than Taekwon Lewis. If we're going more than that, though,

Starting point is 00:13:46 I think we are probably projecting him too much. I don't want to see him as a starter or anything next year. But I think as like a Taekwon Lewis replacement, I think this is pretty good work by the Colts. Yeah, I mean, I think he, they're talking a lot about younger and faster. So like even if you just apply that to Taekwan Lewis here, like I think you got younger.

Starting point is 00:14:06 I think you got faster. Inside out opportunities there for him. I was very interested that it was a three-year deal. I can't imagine there's many, if any, guarantees after year one, though. So it'll be really interesting to kind of see, like, what it looks like deal-wise. Like, I think people get annoyed with us when we say this online, but, like, I think this is a depth signing by the Colts,

Starting point is 00:14:29 and I think they just look at how he was used in New York, and I think they believe that he'll be a better fit in Luz defense as a depth piece here than he was in New York. So I think they're just kind of betting on the upside. I'm going to expect that it's going to end up being a deal that, like, doesn't really matter all that much in terms of guarantees to where it's just a little small bet they're making. This is not going to be the move at edge this offseason.

Starting point is 00:14:52 I'd be shocked. Like, I'd be shocked if Arden Key and Michael Clemens is the Colts swing at edge opposite of Lott, too. Right, because I think this is the way you've got to think about it, right? The Colts didn't just lose one edge rusher this off season, right? They're replacing their entire edge rush route. Like, Sampson have you come out the door, Quitty Pay, out the door, Taiquan Lewis, out the door, right?

Starting point is 00:15:13 So you have to have guys that can take multiple snaps and multiple roles on your defense. So I view Arden Key and Michael Clemens as the replacements for Ebukam and Tyquon Lewis. And from what I've seen on film, I think they're better than those than Ebukom and Lewis. You know, Lewis could barely move last year and he was barely healthy. Ebukom, I still think, can be a decent pass rusher, but just not in this system. Too much stunts, too many twists and he's way too stiff and just old at this point to really thrive in that role. where Clemens, I think, is a fine run defender, has some good power in his game and can take some base down defensive snaps and be a guy that can use his hands to at least push the pocket a little bit. And I think that's more than Taekwon Lewis.

Starting point is 00:15:57 And then we look at Arden Key, again, stiff player, older player, pure, a lot of limitations in his game. But I think he operates well in what we're looking at is like this stunt-based blitz heavy system. So I think these guys are better, better scheme fits for this Colts defense. I think they're younger than Ebukom. I mean, I guess Arden Key's like a year younger than I've become. So it's not like that big a difference. Younger is younger. Right, right.

Starting point is 00:16:20 But I think that they do fit where the Colts are going with this defense. So it's like if these guys are those players' replacements, I like these sightings. If this is what you're adding to the edge room and saying, okay, we're good. Like, we've changed the edge room. Then it's definitely not good enough. Like they need more at the edge of whether it's going out and trying to get a Jonathan Granard, which would be a home run. if they're somehow able to get him.

Starting point is 00:16:43 Arnold Ebikidi, a player I've been pounding the table for all off season, getting him in here, then I would feel pretty good about it because they would have upgraded all three spots. But it can't just be these two guys only. But these two guys to be role players and rotational guys, I think they are upgrades over what they had last year behind Layout 2, Latu, and I guess Quiti Pay as well. Yeah, I mean, I think you're right.

Starting point is 00:17:05 I think in a vacuum, this player for that player, it makes sense, especially just because, Because, like, even if you're not a person that's like, yeah, I'm just not going to buy. This person is better than Taekwon Lewis. That's what you want to say about Clemens, because I know Jets fans are not Michael Clemens fans. I've seen it on Twitter already. Yeah, I think, sorry, I don't want to interrupt.

Starting point is 00:17:25 I think my comp for him is just how we all thought about E.J. Speed, when E.J. Speed left, where, like, he's not terrible, but he just makes these boneheaded mistakes that make you believe he's just terrible at all times. And like he probably shouldn't have been a starter, right? Like he shouldn't have been a starter. Like EJ. Speed should have been a starter for the Colts. Clemens should not have been a starter for the Jets last year. So I think it's kind of like, is he terrible?

Starting point is 00:17:52 Like, I guess in your sense because he just committed these boneheaded mistakes. But like he's still like a fine NFL player. Like come on. It's not. There's layers to this thing. Yeah. I mean, if you're using that, like EJ. Speed also has been a perfectly fine player for Houston. Just got another contract in Houston even.

Starting point is 00:18:08 So, like, can be a successful sign. We'll see kind of like what that role they want to carve out for him is. But I have no issues with the signing. And I expect it's going to end up being a very small cap hit to where it doesn't matter at all. This is just another guy in the room you're bringing into camp. Right, for sure. So again, he can't be the solution. But if he's part of what they're just building at Edge Rush, I feel fine with that.

Starting point is 00:18:31 Another real quick thing before we get out of this segment, though. Nick Cross is leaving Indy. He is heading to the Washington commanders on a two-year-fold. $14 million contract. Now, for a lot of people saying, like, oh, they're letting Cross go or how couldn't they top that or how couldn't they match that? From my understanding, and Dustin, you can weigh on this as well, the Colts did offer something pretty comparable to that.

Starting point is 00:18:53 Nick Cross is just from the DMV area. And he wanted to go, I mean, he's from this area. Look, I'm from this area. I love this area as well. I get it, Nick, like coming back home to the DMV area. But I think it was a pretty comparable contracts he got from both sides. and he ended up just choosing the commanders. That's the threat of free agency every year.

Starting point is 00:19:11 You can't keep everyone. Sometimes guys want to pick locations and teams over your team. And I think Cross ultimately just decided to go back home to Washington. So I don't think this was the Colts necessarily like saying, get out the door, Cross. I think it was just more so Cross just making his decision on the open market. Yeah, I mean, I think that's basically dead on. I mean, they had a price going into free agency as they do every player.

Starting point is 00:19:37 And I mean, you could hear it in Chris Boward's voice at the combine on radio interviews and things like that. Like the team was not very confident that the price they had on him would be what his market value was. Like I think they fully expected he was going to get better offers. And I think this one is unique in a sense of that he's getting to go home. And that's always going to be, especially for a young player. He's only 24 years old, like getting to like go back home, be there for this like, next end of his career, the second contract. Like, it makes sense.

Starting point is 00:20:10 It makes sense for Nick Cross. In the end, I think that played a pretty major factor. And they have other needs they have to go with in terms of free agency. It's also a really deep safety class in this class of the draft, which you can't say that about a lot of positions in this draft specifically, but they really like this safety class. Yeah. And as of right now, the Colts have like eight roster needs and they only have like three draft picks worth of anything in this draft right now.

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Starting point is 00:21:46 Lockdown Colts YouTube channel. If you guys are listening on audio as well, shout out to all of y'all as well. So over the cap right now, Destin has the Colts with $51 million in Capspace. Now, that's not accounting for the Alec Pierce, Ardenkier, Michael Clemens' contracts, but again, cap space is very different compared to what like the APY is. I don't expect those three players to break much over $20 million in first year cap space. So I would say the Colts are probably somewhere in like the $23 to $30 million cap space right now. And that's a good thing because they have quite a few needs currently on the roster, Destin. At Edge Room, we were talking about in the last segment how they still need to get like a bigger splash at Edge or more of a starting caliber player at Edge.

Starting point is 00:22:29 Their current linebacker core is Shagoo Alubi, Austin, Ajik, Destin Adams. That's your three guys that you have there competing. Strong safety, the only player they have on the roster. at strong safety is a last year seventh round pick that didn't play one snap in his rookie season. Back of running back is a need. Another wide receiver is a need. I guess we could also use a swing tackle in here too. So the Colts are going to have to make a lot of moves these next couple of days to give people

Starting point is 00:22:57 confidence, as I can tell from the comments section here on our video. The Colts have a lot more moves to be made here, Destin. So do you see them doing anything splashy, I guess, before the draft? Do you think it's going to be a lot of these Arden Key and Michael Clemens level deals the rest of the way? I mean, I'd be shocked if they don't find a way to, like, I guess I don't know by definition splash of like there's going to be a more notable player brought in at edge.

Starting point is 00:23:26 Like they just have to. Like it makes no sense for those two to be your moves. Obviously, the reports are out there that they made a run at Hendrickson. Obviously the Max Crosby fiasco creates some. questions on if the Colts would have been the team to get them if it wasn't Baltimore. Like to me, like that's a sign that they're being aggressive in that market. Now, does that mean it's going to be a trade for like a Jonathan Grenard where fans will rejoice? Like, I don't know.

Starting point is 00:23:55 I don't know if that's going to be the way. But I do think there are so a little bit more high profile guys that are in free agency that I'd feel comfortable with the team at least betting on them making like that ascending step if given a bigger role. So, like, I think that is probably what the biggest splash free agency signing would be, just because it makes sense. I mean, you don't have your first round pick. I don't see a world where Anarumo is going to bet on pick 47, just penciling in as an

Starting point is 00:24:28 edge, and he's going to be a day one starter and going to produce at a high level for us. Like, to me, like, that's the only alternative to bringing in somebody off the free agency market or via trade. So I think that's going to be the splash. And we'll see who that is and how they make it work. But you've mentioned a lot of other needs that they're going to have to make. And I think the first time the Colts signed a linebacker that is even semi-starting caliber, the fan base may lose their mind.

Starting point is 00:24:55 So maybe that's going to be the big splash in terms of fans' minds. Yeah, maybe. I do agree with you where, like, I want to see something more at edge still. I mean, again, the options are slim at this point. Like, again, it's trading a top 100 pick for Gernard. Colts only have two top 100 picks, so how much do you really want to depart with one of those picks? And then outside of that, again,

Starting point is 00:25:15 I'm really only intrigued by like an Arnold Ebikidi. There are older players that, like, can give you something, but like I don't think they're going to inspire much hope. Like a Joey Bosa at this stage of his career isn't going to inspire a lot of hope with Colts fans, but he can at least give you some snaps out there. But I, again, like, we'll see what they can do at edge rush for the rest of the way. But for me personally, and I just want to stay as consistent as I can. can on this show. One thing I've always complained about with Chris Ballard in the past

Starting point is 00:25:42 couple years has been the fact that his free agency approach has always been like this all or nothing, right? We're going to swing hard for Daniel Hunter, Mooney Ward, Cam Bynum, back, what was it, Xavier McKinney, right? They swung hard for a couple years ago. Preston Smith back early on his tenure. It's either swing hard on them or all these one year, one point one two seven million dollar contracts, right? He never really ever used like those middle tier of free agency, right? those five, six, seven, eight million dollar per year contracts. Like, I've always wanted him to be more involved with that. So far, he's given me two contracts like that.

Starting point is 00:26:17 And actually, like, I don't hate the film for either player in Arden Key and Michael Clemens. So while I know a lot of people are criticizing these deals, I'm fine if like the rest of the way, it's the Colch's just plugging holes with a lot of these like middle tier deals because you can build a really good team with that. I mean, I think of Washington a couple years ago when they first got Jaden Daniels in there. like they were able to go pretty deep with a roster built of a lot of those guys filling holes. Now they missed on their next draft class pretty bad, which led to their regression the following season. So it's more of like a way to plug holes and kind of build up the floor of your roster.

Starting point is 00:26:51 But I was always I was always so harsh on Ballard for like not building up the floor of the roster. So then when injuries piled up, we saw the floor drop out like we saw last year. So I'm fine with using this cap space outside of the edge rush to just build up that floor of the roster. I don't need these crazy high profile signings because there's not going to be that many left at this point. So do you kind of get another edge rush or again, like if you can get like an epicchiti, I feel pretty happy about that. And then like, again, if it's just stable vets that you bring in here, they just have to bring in somebody. You know, we can't be going into camp with the GK and Hunter Woller projected starters. You know, like that's, that would be too much right there.

Starting point is 00:27:28 But like, again, I'm not asking for you to go out here and go like trade for Fred Warner and go sign Jaquan Brisker as well when you're already paying $10 billion in the secondary. Like it doesn't need to be that. But like get guys in here who know what they're doing, at least, and like mid-level guys who can at least be spot starters. That way the floor doesn't fall out on you again at some positions like it did last year. Yeah, I mean, I think that's what wave two of free agency is typically utilized for anyway. And it's an era that we kind of have seen the Colts not to be as active in.

Starting point is 00:28:00 Sometimes they'll make these big splashes in wave one and then we'll go a week without seeing a single person for Zach to add to his film watching list. And he's just watching. I just want more people to watch. Actually, I think that's all this is. I just want more people to watch. I get it. I get it.

Starting point is 00:28:16 I can see the withdrawal already. And Michael Clemens was only signed like a two hours ago, but he's probably gotten through his entire film. So now he needs to see. So now he needs someone else. And like, I think that's what Wave 2 is made for. And it's probably in, it's not what fans want to hear, but like looking at the amount of needs you have left.

Starting point is 00:28:33 Like it probably makes more sense for that. to be where the Colts spin, like, going forward in terms of these, like, other holes they're going to have to go because on the edge rush now, like, you miss Alan Hendrickson. I can't imagine a Joey Bosa is signing up to be an indie. Like, so, like, you're looking at these like middle of the pack, 26, 27 year olds that are trying to get that next contract to maybe build into that one big contract of their career. You mentioned one earlier. Like, I think AJ Ebenezah from Buffalo is another one that makes a lot of sense.

Starting point is 00:29:04 in terms of just could ascend on a bigger role. And maybe not as much so as being like the number one edge rusher ever. But like being a guy that can he be a better pass rusher than quidipa? Like I think there's enough flashes to like bet on that type of jump potentially. So like there are options on the market that could make a lot of sense. Now they wanted Hendrickson. It's known that they wanted Hendrickson. So like you should take into account that this is going to be plan B, maybe even plan C,

Starting point is 00:29:33 depending on there's any other guys that they wanted that went elsewhere. But like knowing that in mind, like I think there's still some solid options that could make sense. Yeah, I mean, look, at the end of the day, we're already like four years too late past the win Chris Ballard should have been fired. So I'm just riding this out until it eventually ends, you know? So like, yeah, you guys could hear me every single day and every single week on here just crying about how nothing matters and how they should fire Chris Ballard. But at this point, like I'm just going to wait and see the approach they take and then analyze. that distinct approach. Like, yes, I can keep in mind that, again,

Starting point is 00:30:07 he probably should have been fired like four to five years ago. But the best we can do right now is just kind of see what the plan of attack is and then adjust our expectations there. But I think they have a lot still going on the rest of this offseason from, I mean, again, in the draft, they're going to find a starter to, especially when it comes, I think one of their linebacker starters at the very least is going to be found in the draft. I think they're going to sign a handful of more guys.

Starting point is 00:30:32 And we'll see what this roster looks like. like at the end of the day. But I will, again, we'll set it out there for as lenient as I'm being right now. If Austin Ajikah and Shaghu, Alubi, and Hunter Wolder are projected starters going into camp, then I won't be very lenient with how this roster looks. But as of right now, I'm willing to wait and see, uh, and see what the Colts do. Because look, you're lowering Daniel Jones as year one cap hit for a reason, right? So you can be more active and free agency. You don't just lower that and foot the bill a little bit for the later if you aren't going to be at least a little bit more active.

Starting point is 00:31:03 So there are still more moves to come. And I'm curious just to see how this all plays out. But Destin, any predictions for the next couple of days? Any fun predictions? Anything you want to get on record? So you can screen grab this and put it on Twitter or something afterwards. I'll go with like a bold take to where like if I'm wrong, I can't just be killed as much. I think one of the signing that's going to happen before the draft, and this isn't

Starting point is 00:31:27 me ruling out this position in the draft, but I think they're probably going to find way for some vet receiver to be signed to play early snaps yet next year opposed to drafting one at 47 and that one just being penciled in as a starter. I think the role that they want to replace in terms of Pittman as working in the middle of the field being a decent to good run blocker that Pittman was like I think those roles that they want to fill make a lot more sense to me if it's a veteran on the market. I think there's a couple that they like that already went elsewhere. that they could have went after or did go after to makes me think that a vet receiver would be, it'd make a lot of sense.

Starting point is 00:32:11 But if I'm wrong, you can't kill me because I said it was a bold take. You hit it in the 32 minute mark, man. We only got a couple. We only got like jokes in here. That's the only one to watch. I guess we still have a lot of people watching as well. But that is all we have for today, guys. Thanks again for tuning in to lockdown colds.

Starting point is 00:32:29 We'll be back yet again tomorrow. so make sure you subscribe to our show so you get all the latest episodes. If you don't already, make sure you're following at Lockdown Colts, at Jake Arthur and Fellon, at Zach Hicks to all on socials. If you never miss an episode, then remember the Everydayer Club is built for you. Get Locked on Colts audio ad free plus members only Discord access and much more. Head of LockdownCultz.com to join the club and remember to use our code free agency or follow the link in our show notes.

Starting point is 00:32:54 That's all we have for today. And we'll catch you guys back here probably tomorrow afternoon. But again, it could be later tonight. if the Colts make some more additions.

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