INDIANAPOLIS – Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II is “ready for a change,” according to general manager Chris Ballard.
Moore has spent nine seasons with the team that gave him a chance after he was cut following his rookie training camp as an undrafted free agent, earning a Pro Bowl selection, becoming a team captain and picking up three Walter Payton Man of the Year nominations.
But that’s how Ballard described the tenor of his recent offseason talks with the 30-year-old slot corner – conversations that eventually led to the sides mutually agreeing to pursue a trade for the cornerback who has twice reset the market for a slot corner.
Moore is not present for the Colts’ opening of offseason workouts this week in Indianapolis, Ballard said, along with backup quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr., who requested the opportunity to pursue a trade earlier this offseason – a wish, too, that Ballard agreed to.
Ballard wouldn’t be pressed as to whether he had any confidence a trade partner might be found this week around the NFL Draft, though he did note the Colts “have had some talks, but nothing has come to fruition at this time.”
Though he didn’t say so explicitly, Ballard indicated he may be willing to release Moore; saying Moore would be given “some latitude,” though he wouldn’t commit to such a move if a trade partner couldn’t be found in the near future.
Moore is entering the final season of a three-year deal he inked as a free agent in the spring of 2024. In October, he and the Colts agreed to restructure his deal, converting $4.75 million of salary into a bonus that would tack on three void years through 2029. The move gave Indianapolis $3.8 million in cap room for the 2025 season and added $950,000 in bonus money to each ensuing season.
Moore is owed a base salary of $9.49 million in 2026 and is set to count $13.1 million against the cap. Trading the veteran slot corner ahead of June 1 would leave Indianapolis with $6.05 million in dead money for this season but save the franchise $7.06 million against the cap at a moment where Indianapolis already holds roughly $26 million in cap space.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts GM Chris Ballard provides update on Kenny Moore’s trade request
Reporting by Nathan Brown, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
