Indianapolis Colts

5 players the Colts must move on from in 2016

Published Jan. 20, 2016 4:00 p.m. ET

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Chuck Pagano may be staying on as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, but the team still figures to see a number of changes heading into the 2016 season. Indianapolis currently has an estimated $22 million in salary cap space to remake its roster, and that figure should rise once the NFL announces the official cap number for next season.

But while the Colts have money to spend, they also have a number of key free agents hitting the market that need to be re-signed, including tight end Coby Fleener and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. Even more importantly, the team hopes to sign star quarterback Andrew Luck to an extension this offseason. That deal will undoubtedly make Luck one of the highest paid players in the game, if not the highest. That means money will be tight and the Colts will be forced to make difficult decisions on a number of key performers.

Here are five players the Colts need to move on from in 2016.

1. Andre Johnson

Johnson was one of the Colts' prized free-agent signings last March, but his 2015 season turned out to be a disappointment. The 13-year veteran caught 43 passes for 503 yards and four touchdowns, all 16-game career-lows. The seven-time Pro Bowler will be 35 next season and is set to earn $7.5 million, a high number given his limited impact in his first year in Indianapolis. The Colts can save $5 million by parting ways with Johnson and should do it.

2. Trent Cole

Another member of the Colts' 2015 free-agent class, Cole recorded a career-low 32 tackles, along with three sacks and two forced fumbles in 2015. Given those numbers, his $7.125 salary for 2016 isn't justified. Indianapolis can put the $6.125 million they'll save by releasing the 33-year-old to better use.

3. Greg Toler

Toler struggled in 2015, allowing opposing quarterbacks to throw for a 114.0 passer rating against him, per Pro Football Focus. The seven-year veteran, who made $5.8 million this season, is a free agent. The Colts need to upgrade their secondary and should look elsewhere.

4. Matt Hasselbeck

The 40-year Hasselbeck was effective when pressed into service in place of the injured Andrew Luck, but after getting beat up late in the season, can he handle the rigors of an 18th year in the NFL if he's once again called upon? The Colts need an effective backup behind Luck and while Hasselbeck was certainly valuable in 2015, retirement may be best both for him and the team.

5. Erik Walden

Walden recorded three sacks in 2015, tied for second most on the team, but he'll be 31 next season and carries a cap number of $4.25 million. The Colts can better use the $4 million they'll save by releasing him by putting the money toward re-signing a free agent like Freeman.

*All salary cap information comes from OverTheCap.com.