Colts Lock Up Pierce, Tag Jones, Seek Pass Rusher

0:00On March 10, the NFL free agency Legal Tape Ring Window stays open until 4pm. Wednesday and Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard is making moves under big pressure to end five straight seasons without playoffs. The team locked up receiver Alec Pierce first with a four-year deal worth $116 million, averaging $29 million per year. They also slapped the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones for $37.833 million, fully guaranteed, giving them the right to match outside offers. Earlier this week, the Colts added rotational pass-rusher Arden Ki, but their top priority remains bolstering the pass-rush after missing out on. Several big names like Otife O.A., Khalil Mack, Boy Maff, and Jalen Phillips. Standouts, Trey Hendrickson and Bradley Chubb are still available, with Hendrickson leading the league in sacks two years running before injuries. Slowed him last season. Former starters like Offensive Tackle Braden Smith, Linebacker Germaine Pratt, and Safety Nick Cross hit the market too, along with others such as Samson Ebbacom, Taekwain Lewis, and Mo Allie Cox.

1:10Ballard praised Smith as one of the league's most underappreciated tackles despite his recent concussion and neck issues that sideline him late in the year. Talks with Jones show a wide gap, with the Colts offering around three years and $105 million while he wants 50 million per year. He's recovering from an Achilles tear that keeps him out until training camp in July, so the team can now watch the market unfold. With Peer secured and Jones tagged, Ballard has time to target that elite pass-rusher and sort the roster before official signing starts.