Once the Indianapolis Colts sort out Kenny Moore II’s contract situation, he remains a vital piece for their postseason aspirations in 2022.
Moore has held out of Colts OTAs for the past two weeks because he wants a better contract than the four-year, $36 million extension he signed three years ago.
Since then, Moore has racked up 10 interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one defensive touchdown over a three-year period.
He has served notice he’s one of the best – if not the best – slot cornerbacks in the league.
Moore even earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 2021 – a well-deserved accolade.
It’s imperative Colts GM Chris Ballard re-signs Moore for the 2022 NFL season and beyond so they can become postseason contenders once again.
The Kenny Moore II Difference
Although the Colts’ team pass defense leaves much to be desired (their 234.1 defensive pass yards per game ranked them 19th in the NFL last season), Moore continues to exceed expectations.
His aforementioned stats serve as hard evidence.
He can stifle the league’s best slot receivers in 2022.
🗣🗣🗣 pic.twitter.com/CvEGNJ87Lx
— PFF (@PFF) May 23, 2022
New Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will count on Moore to put the clamps on guys like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Adam Thielen, and Keenan Allen this season.
On the other hand, the acquisition of five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore and the impending return of free safety Julian Blackmon from an Achilles injury have huge implications on Indy’s average pass defense in 2022.
When you include Moore in the defensive back equation, the sky’s the limit.
Moore’s annual $8.33 million salary currently ranks 27th on the league’s cornerback payroll.
It’s no longer unusual for top-tier cornerbacks to earn $20 million per year or so.
Moore isn’t in that stratosphere yet.
However, don’t act surprised if he reaches that level in the near future.
For now, an annual salary in the $10 million to $12 million range should entice Moore to stay put in Indy.
Is he acting like a diva?
Hardly – he has been a model citizen since he first wore the Horseshoe in 2017.
However, you cannot blame him for feeling underpaid.
The man just wants to be paid for what he’s worth – the league’s best slot corner has had 14 career interceptions in five seasons.
Moore also ranks in the NFL’s top four cornerbacks in terms of tackles (200), sacks (5.5), tackles for loss (14), and interceptions (10) in the past three seasons.
#Colts Pro Bowl CB Kenny Moore II, who has not been attending OTAs and wants a new contract in line with his play, is in the building today for his physical prior to mandatory minicamp this week, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 6, 2022
He deserves top dollar for sure.
For Ballard’s part, he had never had to deal with a contract holdout in his first five years as Colts GM.
Moore’s contract situation is a first for Ballard.
Here’s a fearless forecast – the Colts will offer Moore a new contract extension that will pay him between $10 million to $12 million per season for the next three to four years.
Once that’s settled, he will promptly pick up where he left off and continue stifling the league’s best slot receivers for the foreseeable future.
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