The Indianapolis Colts are in win-now mode. How else to explain the team dealing for cornerback Sauce Gardner at the trade deadline and giving up two first-round draft picks while doing so? If the team now doesn't meet lofty expectations, the future is iffy.
But as all Indy fans and general manager Chris Ballard know, keeping the band together is important, too. That means spending a large part of the Colts' $57 million in projected cap space in 2026 on re-signing quarterback Daniel Jones. If that happens, as expected, what should the team do with a couple of other key pieces?
One is wide receiver Alec Pierce. He might hit the free agent market and ask for as much as $20 million a season. The same might happen for 29-year-old right tackle Braden Smith. Smith is back to playing great football after a couple of injury-affected seasons, and he might be the most sought-after tackle next offseason.
Indianapolis Colts should extend right tackle Braden Smith now
According to Spotrac, Smith should expect a contract of $13.6 million a season for three seasons, no matter where he signs in 2026. That number might actually be on the low side as well. If that does indeed end up being the price, Indy should make it happen, but that makes things tight for the potential re-signing of Pierce.
If the decision comes down to whether to re-sign the wide receiver or the right tackle (assuming Danny Dollars is also re-signed), the answer should be Braden Smith over Alec Pierce. Pierce is terrific, of course, but the Colts also have an abundance of good receivers. Good offensive tackles are far rarer.
Through the Week 11 bye week, Smith has given up just one sack while allowing no more than two total pressures in seven of 10 games. He is also excellent as a run-blocker, as evidenced by the remarkable season running back Jonathan Taylor is having.
In a recent article about what teams should be doing now versus later in terms of the best potential free agents, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox advises that Indianapolis should work out an extension with Smith now and not wait. He is right.
Knox writes, "The Colts should ensure the 29-year-old doesn't reach the open market. If they do, they're likely to lose him to a team with more financial flexibility."
The same might be the case with Daniel Jones, too, but Jones is going to cost a lot more. The more affordable Braden Smith could be stolen from Indianapolis. Chris Ballard needs to make sure that doesn't happen.