The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL during the 2023 regular season. Heading into their Week 16 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, Indianapolis is 8-6 and right in the thick of the AFC playoff picture.
They are in a three-way tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans for first place in the AFC South, but because of tiebreakers, are currently in seventh place. Because of their season sweep at the hands of the Jaguars, the Colts still have some work cut out for them to make the postseason.
A Week 18 matchup against the Texans could very well be a win-or-go-home scenario for both teams. Whoever wins that matchup will have defied the odds as both teams were projected to be among the worst in the NFL this season.
NFL News & Rumors: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots, NFL Free Agency Indianapolis Colts Updates
Regardless of how things shake out for Indianapolis in the final three weeks, the 2023 season should be seen as a success. What can they do during the 2024 offseason to ensure this success carries over into next season?
In the opinion of the staff at Yardbarker, it is add some weapons to the offense. The perfect free agency addition for the Colts, in their opinion, would be tight end Hunter Henry, who is currently playing for the New England Patriots.
“When Anthony Richardson returns next season, the Colts must give him more passing targets and minimize the times he runs, which is how he suffered a season-ending injury to his throwing shoulder in October. Indy has a solid WR trio in Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Alec Pierce, but it needs a legit TE1 like Henry, who has averaged 50 receptions and 560 yards over the past five seasons,” as written over at Yardbarker.
The Colts need to do everything in their power to ensure that Michael Pittman Jr. doesn’t leave town. He is set to hit free agency and has put together a very strong campaign which should make him a popular target for teams around the league. Losing him would be a major detriment to the team’s success on offense.
Retaining him and adding a player of Henry’s caliber would do wonders for Indianapolis. The tight end position has been underwhelming this season with expected starter Jelani Woods spending the entire season on injured reserve to this point.
NFL News & Rumors: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots, NFL Free Agency Indianapolis Colts Updates
Woods was expected to have a sizable role as the starting tight end. He can redeem that in 2024, but adding a veteran such as Henry to the mix will provide the team with insurance and some versatility. Head coach Shane Steichen used multiple tight end sets well during his time as the offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles and could look to do the same in Indianapolis.
Henry is wrapping up the final season of a three-year contract he signed with the Patriots in 2021. He has caught 42 passes for 419 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games, stellar numbers when taking into consideration how much of a mess New England’s passing offense has been this season.
Injury concerns from earlier in his career with the Los Angeles Chargers have seemingly been put behind him as Henry has appeared in every possible game during his tenure with the Patriots.
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