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Should Colts Cut this Veteran Ahead of the 2023 Season?

Originally posted on FanNation All Colts | By Drake Wally | Last updated 8/21/23

Preseason roster cuts aren’t always an easy choice for any NFL team. This comes twice as much when it’s a veteran that has spent valuable time with the franchise.

Well, for the Indianapolis Colts, it could be a choice that must be made before the regular season begins.

According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, the Colts should move on from veteran tight end Mo Alie-Cox. Knox gives his explanation in the “1 Player Each NFL Team Should Cut Before the 2023 Season” piece.

Last offseason, the Indianapolis Colts signed tight end Mo Alie-Cox to a new three-year, $17.6 million contract. A little more than a year later, it’s time for them to part ways.

The 29-year-old had been a solid contributor for Indianapolis when he signed his new deal, but he saw a diminished role last season. Jelani Woods and Kylen Granson both outpaced him as pass-catchers, and he finished with just 19 receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns.

While Indianapolis will likely use multiple tight ends to aid rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson this season, it added Pharaoh Brown and rookie fifth-round pick Will Mallory this offseason. Veterans like Alie-Cox could see an even more reduced role in 2023 as the Colts look to develop Woods, Granson, and Mallory alongside Richardson.

Brown (36 starts) is perfectly capable of filling the mentor role, and Indy would save $2.92 million if Alie-Cox is released.

As I’ve mentioned in some previous pieces, Alie-Cox has fallen short of the Colts’ expectations. In six total seasons, he’s yet to eclipse 100 catches (89) and hasn’t panned out much as a blocker, either.

Given that the Colts are also looking at the names that Knox mentioned (Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson, Will Mallory, etc.) to be the next wave of Indy tight ends, it could be an accurate prediction to say that Alie-Cox might not be a Colt much longer.

However, the case that Alie-Cox does have to remain in Indianapolis comes with two supporting arguments. The first is that he is the veteran tight end and knows the franchise. The other guys are younger and less experienced in that group. The Colts may want that veteran presence in the tight end rotation for Anthony Richardson.

The second argument is that perhaps new head coach Shane Steichen can help get Alie-Cox back on track, or better. Throw in the fact that new (and former) Colts tight ends coach Tom Manning has high praise for the veteran, and there could be a way for Alie-Cox to stay on the roster for the rest of his contract. We’ll have to see as the preseason draws to a close.

Alie-Cox has been under fire for a lack of production and a contract that might not be warranted for him. But, there is an argument that he hasn’t had consistent QB play or coaching throughout his career.

Will Indianapolis decide to save nearly $3 million in cap space by parting ways with the veteran? It’s a dilemma that the Colts have to figure out.