Colts moving on from Moore
The Indianapolis Colts plan to part ways with Pro‑Bowl slot corner Kenny Moore after nine seasons — he leaves with 111 starts and an established reputation as an elite slot defender as the team seeks trade partners (x.com). That’s a structural change for Indy’s defense coming off losses like Michael Pittman Jr. and Zaire Franklin — expect the secondary and cap sheet to be in flux (x.com).
Indianapolis is now shopping one of the few Colts defenders casual fans could name on sight. Kenny Moore and the team have agreed to seek a trade on April 10, 2026, with Moore heading into the final year of his contract. (espn.com) That makes this more than a routine roster cut. Moore has been with the Colts since 2017, started 111 games for them, and played 132 regular-season games in Indianapolis after entering the National Football League as an undrafted player from Valdosta State. (pro-football-reference.com) Moore was not just any cornerback. At 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, he built his reputation in the slot, which is the inside cornerback spot that has to cover quick receivers, blitz off the edge, and tackle in traffic near the line of scrimmage. (pro-football-reference.com) His stat line shows why teams value that role. Across nine seasons, Moore produced 21 interceptions, 11.5 sacks, 68 passes defended, 649 tackles, and 4 interception touchdowns, which is rare production for a defensive back who often works inside. (pro-football-reference.com) His best recent season came in 2023, when he started 16 games and returned 2 interceptions for touchdowns. He also made the Pro Bowl after the 2021 season, which cemented him as one of the league’s better slot defenders rather than just a long-tenured starter. (pro-football-reference.com) The money helps explain why this is happening now. Spotrac lists Moore’s 2026 cap hit at $13.11 million and his 2026 cash at $10 million, which is a large number for a 30-year-old cornerback entering the last year of a deal. (spotrac.com) The Colts have already shown they are willing to make painful veteran moves this offseason. The Indianapolis Star reported on April 2 that Indianapolis traded wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and linebacker Zaire Franklin in moves tied to clearing salary-cap space and getting younger. (indystar.com) So this is the same pattern hitting a different room. Pittman changed the offense, Franklin changed the middle of the defense, and moving Moore would strip experience out of the secondary at the exact spot that usually handles the most option routes and motion-heavy assignments. (indystar.com) Local reporting says Indianapolis and Moore are treating this as a mutual search rather than a surprise release. That wording usually means the player still has league value and the team would rather get a draft pick or contract relief than lose him for nothing. (fox59.com) If a trade happens, the Colts are not just replacing 1 player. They are replacing a nine-year starter who blitzed, tackled, covered the slot, and knew the defense well enough to function like a traffic cop in the middle of the secondary. (pro-football-reference.com)
