The Indianapolis Colts rumors are beginning to fly now that the team is focusing on the offseason ahead. One big question that is surrounding the team is simply, could the Colts release wide receiver Andre Johnson in the 2016 NFL offseason?
Brad Sonneborn of Fox Sports opined that the Colts should release Johnson and save a bit of money. He was unable to have any kind of meaningful impact for the Colts after signing in free agency last offseason. It was a major disappointment and there is a good chance that Indianapolis will consider the possibility of moving on from him.
Ryan Grigson drafted Philip Dorsett in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft and releasing Johnson would open up more playing time for him. That could be one of the main reasons that the Colts would move on from Johnson if they choose to go that direction.
If the Colts did release Johnson this coming offseason, they would save $5 million in cap space.
That kind of money would be well worth the move to release him. He did not play up to the contract that the Colts gave him and it would not be unfair to move on after one season. Johnson isn't getting any younger and it became very clear this past season that they have to get younger as a team.
Throughout the course of the 2015 NFL season, Johnson ended up catching 41 passes for 503 yards and four touchdowns. He certainly didn't look like the superstar athlete that he once was and actually ended up looking more like a tight end than a wide receiver during the majority of the season.
Johnson could very well have a resurgence in 2016 after a full offseason of hard work. That could end up happening, but the Colts should not allow that possibility to dictate the decisions they make.
There seems to be a very good chance that they will move on from aging players, which could very well include Johnson. Jim Irsay made it clear that he believes the team could use a change from being such a veteran team to being a team with more youth infused into the roster.
Indianapolis could move on from Johnson, but it wouldn't take long for him to find another contract if that does end up happening.
Expect to hear plenty of rumors surrounding the Colts when the offseason gets underway. Johnson could be on his way out, but that is far from being a sure thing. One thing is for sure, which is the fact that Grigson and Irsay will do everything they think is possible to get the Colts to being Super Bowl contenders.
