Chris Ballard hoping to get contract extensions done soon

The Indianapolis Colts have a long list of free agents set to hit the market in 2022, and general manager Chris Ballard is hoping to get some contract extensions done before the regular season arrives.

Chiefly among those extensions includes linebacker Darius Leonard and right tackle Braden Smith, both of which could compete for top dollar at their positions. Running back Nyheim Hines is another candidate that could get a nice deal given his impact in the backfield and on special teams.

All-Pro left guard Quenton Nelson is an obvious candidate but given that the Colts exercised his fifth-year option, they have a little bit of time to work out his eventual massive deal.

But Ballard told Pat McAfee on his show that the Colts are hoping to get some of these deals done in a relatively quick manner.

“We hope so. We’re working on them and we hope we can come to some agreements here,” Ballard said on the Pat McAfee show Wednesday.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if Leonard and Smith both get their extensions done before the regular season starts. They are cornerstone pieces on their sides of the ball, and a pair of players the Colts want wearing the horseshoe long term.

Owner Jim Irsay said earlier this offseason that the goal is to get those two under a new deal before Week 1 arrives.

The Colts stayed quiet in free agency to ensure they can get these deals done and under the salary cap in an efficient manner. It will be interesting to see what the deals look like, and they should be expected to get done soon.