Indianapolis Colts Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon Confirms Plan to Extend Contracts of Four Key Players to Build the Future

Indianapolis, Indiana – January 2026

Carlie Irsay-Gordon, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, has confirmed that the organization plans to extend contracts for four key players, provided the negotiations are successful. This decision reflects the Colts' commitment to maintaining a strong core team as they look to build for the future, with a goal of competing for the Super Bowl in the upcoming seasons.

Daniel Jones, the starting quarterback, leads the list for contract extension. Despite recovering from an Achilles injury, Jones is still seen as the top priority for the team. After a promising 2025 season, where he demonstrated strong performance and led the Colts to several important victories, the team is committed to securing Jones for the long term. His current contract expires in 2026, with a salary cap hit of $51.9 million. The team is considering either a long-term extension (estimated 3-4 years, around $40-45 million/year) or potentially using the franchise tag (~$45 million for 1 year) to keep Jones in place. Analysts predict that a new deal could be valued at $53-60 million per year.

Alec Pierce, the wide receiver who broke out with over 1,000 yards and excellent deep-threat capability, is another priority for the Colts. Chris Ballard, the team’s GM, has highlighted Pierce as one of the players the team must retain. With the 2026 receiver class being relatively weak, the Colts are not keen on losing Pierce to free agency. Sources suggest the extension could have an annual average salary (AAV) between $12-14 million.

Braden Smith, the team's right tackle, is also a player under consideration for a contract extension. Although he is 30 years old and has faced recent injuries, Smith remains a crucial piece in the offensive line. Some sources suggest that Jalen Travis, a rookie, might be able to replace Smith in the future, but due to Smith's importance in the system, a contract extension remains a priority, though not the highest. However, the extension for Smith may not be as urgent as the other players given the other needs for contract renewals.

Kwity Paye, the edge rusher, is another player the team expects to address. Paye could either be extended or offered a fifth-year option. While he has not yet reached the level of elite defensive players, Paye remains a key asset to improve the pass rush. If not extended, the Colts can utilize the fifth-year option by May 2026, but a long-term extension would help the team free up salary cap space while keeping Paye as a key part of the defense.

Although no contracts have been finalized yet, both Daniel Jones, Alec Pierce, Braden Smith, and Kwity Paye (or Nick Cross) have been informed that they are a crucial part of the Colts’ future. Negotiations are expected to intensify once the season concludes, and the Colts are sure to prioritize contract extensions for these players to ensure a strong, competitive team in the years ahead.

With approximately $35-36 million in cap space, the Colts have the financial flexibility to retain these key players. Stars like Quenton Nelson, Michael Pittman Jr., Jonathan Taylor, and DeForest Buckner have already signed long-term deals through 2026-2027 and could be restructured to create additional cap space, eliminating the immediate need for new extensions.