The Indianapolis Colts have made their intentions for the 2025 NFL season abundantly clear: defense wins championships. After allocating a whopping $114 million to reconstruct their secondary, the Colts are sending a bold message to the league—they’re betting big on a lockdown defense to drive a deep playoff run.
This offseason, General Manager Chris Ballard and Head Coach Shane Steichen oversaw one of the most aggressive defensive overhauls in recent franchise history. With a core offense already anchored by rising star quarterback Anthony Richardson and a healthy Jonathan Taylor, the Colts shifted their focus to fortifying the back end of their defense. The result? A complete transformation of the secondary that could rank among the best in the NFL by season’s end.
Big Names, Bigger Paydays
At the heart of the Colts’ $114 million investment is a trio of high-profile acquisitions—each expected to play a pivotal role in reimagining the team’s identity.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, formerly with the Chicago Bears, headlined the free agent haul, signing a four-year, $76 million contract. Johnson brings elite man-coverage skills, leadership, and Pro Bowl-caliber talent to a position that had been a weak point in recent seasons. After holding opposing QBs to a league-low 52.5 passer rating when targeted in 2024, Johnson was one of the most coveted defensive backs on the market.
“We didn’t just want a good corner,” Ballard said during Johnson’s introductory press conference. “We wanted a cornerstone. Jaylon’s that guy.”
Joining Johnson is veteran safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who signed a three-year, $30 million deal after departing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A Super Bowl champion with a reputation for clutch playmaking, Winfield adds experience and versatility to a Colts safety unit that was plagued by inconsistency last year.
Finally, the team rounded out their spending spree by signing slot corner Kenny Moore II to a two-year, $8 million reunion deal. Moore, who previously spent six seasons with Indianapolis before a short stint in Detroit, returns to a familiar system where he thrived as a defensive Swiss army knife.
Youth + Experience = Balance
While the Colts have opened their checkbook for established veterans, they’ve also maintained a strong pipeline of young talent. 2023 second-round pick Julius Brents is expected to line up opposite Johnson at outside corner, and the staff is optimistic about his continued growth in Year 3. Safeties Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II provide rotational depth and special teams prowess.
The key, according to defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, will be chemistry.
“You can have all the talent in the world, but the secondary has to communicate, trust each other, and work as one,” Bradley said. “With the leadership we’ve brought in, and the hunger these young guys have, I like where we’re headed.”
A Top-Tier Defense in the Making?
Indianapolis’ defensive front—led by DeForest Buckner, Kwity Paye, and linebacker Zaire Franklin—has long been respected for its physicality. However, without a dependable secondary, the unit often struggled to close out games. That should change in 2025.
With Johnson locking down top receivers, Winfield roaming the deep middle, and Moore back in his comfort zone in the slot, the Colts have built a secondary that complements their pass rush. The revamped unit will be tested early, with matchups against AFC juggernauts like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills looming in the first half of the season.
“I think this group can be special,” Moore said. “It’s not just about talent—it’s about mindset. We want to be feared.”
The Window is Now
The Colts’ aggressive spending signals a front office that believes the window to contend is wide open. With Richardson under a rookie contract through 2026 and the offense continuing to develop, the team has strategically used its cap space to beef up the other side of the ball.
The question now is whether the investment will translate into wins.
“You don’t spend this kind of money unless you’re serious about making a run,” said ESPN analyst Louis Riddick. “On paper, this secondary is top-five material. But they’ll need to prove it every Sunday.”
As training camp looms, optimism is running high in Indianapolis. The Colts are betting $114 million that a dominant secondary is the missing piece to a championship puzzle. If their new stars deliver, Indy may finally return to the postseason spotlight—and stay there.