Colts make flurry of deals as NFL kicks off free agent frenzy

INDIANAPOLIS – The NFL’s free agent frenzy kicked off Monday with a flurry of reported deals across the league.

Monday marked the start of “legal tampering,” when teams can negotiate (but not sign) players. The trades and free agency signings can be finalized starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, the start of the new league year.

For the Colts, it meant a busy time in which the team re-signed some of its key players while losing a couple to other clubs.

Once considered a core special teams player, Franklin has excelled at middle linebacker, becoming a tackling machine since hitting the starting lineup.

He was in the third year of a 3-year, $10 million extension when the team elected for another extension—this one commensurate with his level of play. The new 3-year deal is worth a reported $31.26 million, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Franklin, a seventh-round pick out of Syracuse, set franchise records for tackles in both 2022 and 2023. He finished second in the NFL in total tackles last season.

Avery, whose career has included stops in Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Cleveland, spent the entire 2023 season on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Signed last offseason to bolster the pass rush, Avery has compiled 100 tackles (61 solo), 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, five passes defended, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and six special teams stops during his career.

Defensive tackle Taven Bryan stayed in Indianapolis after signing a 1-year deal with the team.

One of the Colts’ free agent acquisitions last offseason, Bryan appeared in 17 games with seven starts during the 2023 season. He finished with 22 tackles, 2 sacks and 4 tackles for loss.

Bryan’s return bolsters a crowded defensive line unit that already saw Indy re-sign Grover Stewart and bring in Dolphins free agent Raekwon Davis.

The Colts brought back Ronnie Harrison Jr. Formerly a safety, the team worked last season to convert him to linebacker.

Harrison provided some key moments on the defense after the team released Shaq Leonard. While he bolstered the linebacking corps, he also ended up returning to safety after Julian Blackmon went down with an injury.

In 2023, Harrison appeared in seven games. He finished with 20 tackles, a sack and a pair of interceptions–one of which he returned for a touchdown.