Indianapolis Colts: 4 players whose jobs are in jeopardy in 2024

Indianapolis Colts: 4 players whose jobs are in jeopardy in 2024

The Indianapolis Colts used the offseason to retain a handful of players while adding some depth and upside to the roster.

Not many starting roles are up for grabs when the Colts return to the Grand Park Sports Complex for training camp at the end of July. However, there's still going to be plenty of competition.

While only a few starting roles are attainable, there are a handful of significant rotational roles that could see a changing of the guard.

Before training camp arrives, here's a look at four players whose jobs are in jeopardy in 2024:

Colts players whose jobs are in jeopardy in 2024

TE Mo Alie-Cox

The Colts have an extremely crowded tight end room, and it wouldn't be a shock at all if Alie-Cox was the odd-man out by the time the preseason ends. While Alie-Cox is a nice body to have in the room, it's becoming clear he isn't the type of player to make a difference at tight end.

His development as a pass-catcher seems to have plateaued, and players like Jelani Woods and Andrew Ogletree provide more upside from the Y position. Given that the Colts can save $5.9 million against the cap by cutting Alie-Cox, there is no reason to force him into a starting role if he doesn't earn it.

WR Alec Pierce

There has been extensive talk about Pierce potentially losing his job this offseason, and I wouldn't be surprised if Colts fans are getting a little tired of it. However, it's unwise to gloss over the fact that the Colts added a better prospect in Adonai Mitchell, who wound up being a star during the offseason workouts.

It's likely that Pierce will get the first crack at earning the starting X-receiver role, and that's how it should be. But if Mitchell's showing during the spring is any indication, Pierce's role as the starter may be short-lived in 2024.

QB Sam Ehlinger

The top two spots in the quarterback room are set with Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco. The Colts have a battle on their hands for the QB3 role, though. Ehlinger enters the season as the incumbent QB3 but will be challenged by undrafted rookie Kedon Slovis.

There wasn't much of an indication as to who was winning the battle during the spring, and much of that will be determined during the preseason games. The reps will be limited at training camp, but this will be a position battle to keep an eye on.

S Rodney Thomas II

One of the biggest position battles for the Colts takes place at free safety. A pair of third-year defenders in Thomas and Nick Cross will duke it out. The latter was seen taking the majority of the first-team reps during the spring practices, which falls in line with how the 2023 season ended.

After a stellar rookie season in which Thomas replaced Cross, the inverse has now taken place. Cross appears primed to take the starting role from Thomas in Year 3 if this trend continues into training camp and the preseason.

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