The Indianapolis Colts, despite their Divisional Round playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs Saturday, can walk into the offseason with their head held high. With Andrew Luck returning to form, the Colts have the pieces and now the experience necessary to make a statement in 2019. But it can get better. And, it all begins with Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell.
The Bell era is over in Pittsburgh. And, if reports are true, Brown may be gone as well. While this may be a huge blow to the Steelers' organization and their Super Bowl chances, it's a golden opportunity for the Colts. The main question is, is it worth it?
Yes. The reason for that is, it's no longer about the stats for Brown and Bell, they want to personally see the Steelers suffer and what better way they to beat them? If the Colts were to pull this off, can we honestly say there is a defense in the league capable of keeping the Colts under 30 points per game?
Think about what they were able to do this year. The Colts offense, which stumbled early in the season managed to finish the year ranked 6th in passing yards and 20th in rushing. Imagine an offense that features T.Y. Hilton (76 receptions, 1270 yards), Eric Ebron (66 receptions, 750 yards), Marlon Mack (908 yards rushing), Brown (104 receptions, 1297 yards), and Bell (1291 yards rushing, 655 yards receiving-2017). Who can stop this? But is it possible?
Yes, it is. The Indianapolis Colts will have the cap room to get both deals done this offseason. For starters, the Colts can sign Bell outright, meet his demand in the $15 million a year range and still have room left to make a move for Brown. The issue with Brown will be his cost beyond money. The Steelers will seek two first-round picks for Brown. Although it's a stretch, the Colts have no choice but to pony up. Here's why.
When Andrew Luck was out with injuries, the Colts were able to draft for needs and the future. Well, the future is here and despite their loss this past weekend, it's also bright. The Colts started the year 1-5 then managed to go 9-1 to finish the season with their current core.
The team is young, motivated, and flushed with money. Entering the 2019 season, the Colts will have over $120 million+ to spend on whoever they want. Will they make the same mistakes the San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns did last offseason and totally ignore the possibilities?
But why should Bell and Brown want to play for the Colts and how will this affect others?
What this will boil down to is revenge and legacies. Brown and Bell are ringless. Luck has endured criticism over the years and Hilton is still not overlooked as one of the best at his position. The Colts can change everyone's perspective of them in one summer. But in order to do so, ego's must be checked at the door and the team must fall in line with one goal — to win.
Fans around the league believe that Brown may have felt a certain way with the attention that receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster received this season. If so, then how can he co-exist with Hilton? Easy. Andrew Luck is smart enough to know when and how to distribute the ball. The Colts' offense will be one the most dynamic in the league.
Each receiver will be single-covered as defenses will have to account for Ebron and Bell. This will allow both Hilton and Brown opportunities to be exactly what Bell and JuJu were in 2018. Look at the production. Hilton caught 76 passes on 120 targets. Brown caught 101 on 163, and Ebron caught 66 on 110. Luck will need to spread the ball around.
But this will not be without complications. In order for this to happen, the Colts will have to be smart about the process. They can not sign Bell first. There is no way the Steelers will trade Brown to the Colts if Bell is already there. To be fair, they will have enough trouble convincing the Steelers to give them Brown in the first place. The Steelers and Colts will face off in 2019 and the Steelers should not want to face Brown when revenge is on his mind.
As for Bell, are the Colts willing to play him close to $16 million per to become a split-back? After a breakout season by Mack, will either player be comfortable with a reduced role? These are the questions the Colts must ask themselves this offseason. If they can pony up the draft picks and the cash, then 2019 could be the year Luck and the Indianapolis Colts escape the Peyton Manning era shadow.
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