Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has been quite active in completing roster moves since the start of this year’s free agency period. For one, Ballard opted to part ways with Stephon Gilmore.
The Colts traded Gilmore to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round compensatory pick. Ballard elected to complete this move to clear much-needed cap space.
“My relationship with Stephon, he’s a really special man, and his family,” Ballard said at the 2023 NFL Annual Meeting. “That was not easy, but to clear the cap space, and we found a good situation for him, we felt like we got fair compensation in return, so we ended up making a move.”
Indianapolis’ call to trade Gilmore, who signed off on a two-year, $23 million deal with the Colts last year, saved the team $9.92 million in cap space for the 2023 season.
Gilmore was as reliable as could be in what turned out to be his lone campaign with the Colts last year. The veteran cornerback featured in 16 regular season contests with the AFC South side, and he ranked second on the team in snaps played on defense with 1,063. Overall, he tallied two interceptions and allowed a 74.0 passer rating when targeted mark.
The Colts also watched Brandon Facyson depart from the team earlier this month, as the fifth-year cornerback decided to take his talents to the Las Vegas Raiders on a free agent deal. As it stands, Indianapolis plans to rely on the likes of Dallis Flowers and Isaiah Rodgers to lead its cornerbacks group in the 2023 campaign.
“There’s some young players on the roster that we really like,” Ballard said. “Dallis Flowers, we think, has got a lot of talent. Isaiah (Rodgers), who we think has a lot of talent. We still have Kenny Moore II.
“We feel like these young players can take another step. Now, are they Stephon Gilmore? No. There’s not many like Stephon Gilmore.”
The Colts could turn to the 2023 NFL Draft to bolster their depth at the cornerback position, especially as the likes of Joey Porter Jr. and Kelee Ringo will be available.
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