Just 3 Hours After Being Cut by the Ravens: A Former Super Bowl “Cornerstone” Publicly Expresses Desire to Join the Colts — Willing to Take a Pay Cut to Help Bring Indianapolis Back to the Top

Indianapolis, Indiana – January 2, 2026

Just three hours after being officially released by the Baltimore Ravens, Ben Cleveland — long regarded as a quiet cornerstone during the Ravens’ Super Bowl run — sent a ripple through the NFL by publicly expressing his desire to join the Indianapolis Colts.

What stood out immediately wasn’t simply the destination — it was the conviction behind it.

This wasn’t about money.
This was about legacy.

According to multiple league sources, Cleveland has made it clear that Indianapolis sits at the top of his list, even if that means accepting a reduced salary, a smaller role, or life away from the spotlight. His objective is straightforward: help guide the Colts back into Super Bowl contention.

In Baltimore, Cleveland was never the loudest name on the stat sheet. But inside the building, he was respected as a stabilizing force along the offensive line — a player who helped power a physical run game, protect the quarterback in high-pressure moments, and control games when the margins were razor thin. At nearly 6-foot-6 and over 350 pounds, Cleveland paired rare size with a relentless, no-frills approach — the kind of trench DNA championship teams are built on.

I’ve walked through the toughest roads this league has to offer to reach the Super Bowl, and I understand that the journey isn’t measured by highlights or numbers. If Indianapolis needs someone willing to sacrifice money, role, or even attention to help this team get back to where it belongs, I’ll do that without hesitation.

For Cleveland, Indianapolis represents more than a destination. It represents a football culture built on discipline, balance, and strength in the trenches — principles that have long defined the Colts at their best. Championships, Cleveland believes, are still forged up front, far from the spotlight.

Inside the Colts’ facility, there is a growing belief that the roster is trending in the right direction. However, league insiders note that proven, Super Bowl-tested leadership along the offensive line remains a missing ingredient. Cleveland’s interest is viewed as an opportunity to inject championship standards into a locker room learning how to win consistently again.

One NFC personnel executive summarized the appeal succinctly:

“Ben Cleveland brings credibility. He’s lived through a championship run. For a team like Indianapolis, that experience changes the tone inside the building.”

For the Colts, Cleveland’s willingness to sacrifice financially sends a clear message — this is about winning, not contracts.
For Cleveland, it’s not about quietly extending a career, but about defining its final chapter with purpose.

Three hours after being released, Ben Cleveland made his choice.
Now, Indianapolis waits to see whether that choice becomes the foundation of something bigger.