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3 Colts Players Who Won't Survive in Indianapolis Past This Season

By Steven Kubitza

Malik Hooker does not appear to have a future with the Indianapolis Colts.
Malik Hooker does not appear to have a future with the Indianapolis Colts. / Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

The Indianapolis Colts have a ton of money sunk into the quarterback position now that Philip Rivers is in town on a one-year, $25 million deal. Yet if he sticks with a plan to only play for one season the Colts can hit the reset button in 2021 and begin to reshape the team. That means a few players will be let go in order to start the new era in Indianapolis.

3. Jacoby Brissett

Indianapolis Colts QB Jacoby Brissett is likely gone after 2020.
Indianapolis Colts QB Jacoby Brissett is likely gone after 2020. / Harry Aaron/Getty Images

Jacoby Brissett will be making over $21 million in 2020 to serve as Rivers' backup. That is not a bad gig. Yet he can't be pleased with the Colts and the team has made it clear he is not their long-term answer at quarterback. Both sides appear headed for a split that would have likely already happened if his dead cap value was not $12.5 million. Not going with him this year put the writing on the wall and he will be playing elsewhere in 2021.

2. Marlon Mack

Indianapolis Colts RB Marlon Mack is still on a cheap deal.
Indianapolis Colts RB Marlon Mack is still on a cheap deal. / Harry Aaron/Getty Images

Marlon Mack has been a productive player for the Colts in three seasons. He reached the 1,000-yard mark in 2019 and had eight touchdowns. Then the Colts went out and drafted running back Jonathan Taylor in the second round of this year's draft. He is now on a cheap four-year deal while Mack is in the final year of his contract. The Colts also have Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins under contract through 2021. Taylor was drafted to play often and him seizing the starting job from Mack would mean the veteran is not in the future plans for the Colts.

1. Malik Hooker

Indianapolis Colts S Malik Hooker has not lived up to expectations.
Indianapolis Colts S Malik Hooker has not lived up to expectations. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Malik Hooker is the obvious choice on this list. The Colts declined his fifth-year option this offseason and the 2017 first-round pick's name has shown up in trade rumors. It is a matter of when and not if he leaves Indianapolis. The team will want to get some value for him but if there are no takers he will be out to prove he deserves a lucrative new deal in 2021. Yet the fact he was available for a trade shows the Colts have already moved on.