Amid rumors of departures to rejuvenate the roster, the Colts’ $70 million veteran star leaves Indianapolis emotional after expressing his willingness to take a pay cut to stay and fulfill a lifelong promise
Across eight seasons in a Colts uniform, Smith has embodied stability and professionalism on the right side of the offensive line. However, harsh reality now surrounds him. Smith has missed 23 games over the past five seasons, and a concussion during the 2025 campaign forced him to end his season early. For a team looking toward the future, those numbers cannot be ignored, especially when personnel decisions carry franchise-shaping consequences.
That reality became even clearer when rookie Jalen Travis stepped in and performed reliably as the replacement right tackle. Travis’ snaps gave the coaching staff reason to believe Indianapolis could move forward with a younger core and reduced injury risk. And with that belief, Smith’s future — despite years of contribution — suddenly felt more uncertain than ever.
Yet just as many believed a separation was inevitable, Smith spoke words that brought the Colts locker room to a standstill. “I’ve been here for eight seasons. I grew up with this organization,” Smith said. “I don’t want to finish my career anywhere else. If that means I have to sacrifice, restructure my contract, I’m ready. I want to leave the NFL as a Colts legend — not a forgotten name.”
In a league where money often defines value, Braden Smith’s choice carries a different meaning. The Colts may continue to get younger. They may make cold, calculated decisions for the future. But they now face a deeper question: is there still room for loyalty and legacy during a rebuild? For Smith, the answer is already clear. He isn’t asking for more money. He’s asking for more time — to honor the promise he made to the team he has called home for his entire career.
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