It was reported earlier this week that emerging Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers is being investigated for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. So, what does this mean for both him and the Colts organization? We’re going to look at precisely that.
Rodgers, a sixth-round pick in 2020, is currently in the last year of his rookie contract. He’s also set to see a significant pay increase, with a base salary of $2.74 million.
Depending on the investigation into the allegations of gambling, it’s possible that Rodgers will not see the field this coming season. Heck, we might have seen the last of him in the horseshoe. How will this all play out from the Indianapolis Colts’ perspective moving forward?
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Indianapolis Colts’ head coach will speak with the media
Rookie head coach Shane Steichen is getting his first test of tribulation. Heading into this off-season all of the focus has been on rookie first-round pick quarterback Anthony Richardson. Rightfully so. Now, the attention will turn to the defensive side of the ball, specifically the cornerback position.
Last year’s Week 1 starting cornerbacks are no longer on the Indianapolis Colts roster. Stephon Gilmore was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. Brandon Facyson is now back in Las Vegas. The prevailing thought heading into the offseason was that Isaiah Rodgers will be one of the starting outside cornerbacks. He did start nine games last year for the horseshoe.
One of the biggest questions about the cornerback position is who would be the starter opposite of Rodgers. Would it be veteran and Pro Bowler Kenny Moore or would it be someone else? Now, the question shifts to who will be the starting outside cornerbacks for Week 1 of the upcoming season. Steichen will meet with the media on Wednesday of this week and he will undoubtedly be asked about this specific question and the Rodgers situation.
Will the Indianapolis Colts start two rookie cornerbacks?
Circling back a few months to the NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts needed to address their cornerback position. They not only did that but they possibly overkilled the position by drafting not one but three cornerbacks in that of Julius “JuJu” Brents, Jaylon Johnson and Darius Rush. Since Brents was the first one drafted of this trio, it’s widely thought that he will be the one to at least get the first crack at starting alongside Isaiah Rodgers.
Now, with this situation, two of these three rookies may be starting Week 1. Who those two will be is up for debate and conversation. Then of course there is the possibility that Moore or Dallis Flowers, Kevin Tolliver II, Tony Brown, and Darrell Baker Jr. could be the starting outside cornerbacks. Besides Moore, who has 74 career starts, the rest of that group has a combined seven starts in the NFL.
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Should the Colts sign a veteran cornerback?
So, this leads to the question about the Indianapolis Colts signing a veteran cornerback. While this move was previously divisive within the fan base, it now starts to make much more sense. In making this move, it would allow more time for the rookies to be eased into the NFL. It would also bring another veteran voice into the locker room that could help mentor these rookies.
Some of the current available veteran cornerbacks (and their ages) are:
- Byron Jones (30)
- Marcus Peters (30)
- William Jackson (30)
- Bradley Roby (31)
- Ronald Darby (29)
- Casey Hayward (33)
- Anthony Brown (29)
- Troy Hill (31)
- Anthony Averett (28)
- Eli Apple (27)
All of these players have varying degrees of success, with a combined 6 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pros, and 2 Super Bowls between them. Adding at least one of these guys would most likely immediately benefit the Indianapolis Colts. However, by adding, at least one of these players they would be taking vital snaps away from the rookies and young Colts cornerbacks for development.
What’s next for the Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback room
For right now, the Colts will continue to monitor the ongoing investigation into Isaiah Rodgers. They will also have conversations with current free-agent cornerbacks to gauge their level of interest and the cost of signing with the horseshoe. And of course, they will continue to watch the progress and development of their young and rookie cornerbacks.
If the latter group shows that they are capable of handling a starting spot, then the Colts most likely won’t add any more cornerbacks. There is also the possibility that the defensive staff gets creative with some of their secondary personnel usages. Both safeties Nick Cross and Julian Blackmon spent some time last season lined up in the slot cornerback.
The Colts may use either of these guys in that spot more frequently in 2023. For now, no decision needs to be made about who the starters will be. Instead, more eyes will be on Rodgers and the ongoing gambling investigation on him.