The Indianapolis Colts know that momentum is in their favor and they intend to take advantage of it while adding a few more explosive roster pieces to get them over the playoff hunt. With Andrew Luck developing into one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL, he needs the right set of receivers to be successful. As Hakeem Nicks heads to free agency, Reggie Wayne will follow, ending his long tenure with the Colts.
The 14-year Wayne era in Indianapolis has come to an end after the Colts announced they would not be re-signing the veteran. The wide receiver is the franchise leader for regular season games played and wins while ranking second in receiving yards and receptions just begin Marvin Harrison. While Wayne has yet to announce whether or not he plans on playing another year in the NFL, the Colts have made a decision for him about his time in Indianapolis.
"Reggie is one of the greatest men to ever wear the horseshoe, and we have been blessed to watch him play for the past 14 years," Colts owner Jim Irsay said in a statement, via ESPN.com. "When he first took the field with us in 2001, we knew this day would eventually arrive. That reality is one of the things that makes pro football such a tough business. We feel this decision is in the best interests of the team and for Reggie as it will allow him to seek a better opportunity for playing time elsewhere if he so chooses."
The Colts are preparing to be major players for big names on the free agent market. According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, the Colts and Andre Johnson share a mutual interest in one another as the wide receiver prepares to exit the Houston Texans. Johnson has been given permission by the Texans to seek out a trade and will be cut if one is not made. While the Colts will not trade for Johnson, they will make a move for him in free agency as a replacement for Wayne.
Without Wayne, the Colts wide receiver group leaves something to be desired considering Nicks is also leaving. T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and Duran Carter are the current receivers on the team which is not going to cut it for Luck. The Colts could make a move for Johnson or even Mike Wallace if he is released. They have enough cap space to sign someone like Jeremy Maclin, but could target more affordable options like Brian Hartline, Harry Douglas or Michael Crabtree.