Indianapolis Colts could cut veteran tight end before season starts

The Indianapolis Colts will be back on the field later this month, which means some of the roster decisions will become more vital.

One of them seemingly surrounds veteran tight end Mo Alie-Cox, who is in the final year of his current contract.

Alie-Cox is on the books for a $5.9 million salary-cap hit, none of which is guaranteed. While the Colts don't necessarily need the cap space, Alie-Cox's contract won't save him from being a cut candidate.

As James Boyd of The Athletic stated, there's a world in which the Colts part ways with the veteran.

"Alie-Cox, 30, is entering the final year of a three-year extension he signed in 2022. The veteran tight end is due $5.9 million in 2024, but the Colts could cut him before the season and free up that total in cap space," Boyd wrote.

It would be easy to connect the dots here. Alie-Cox has underperformed since taking on the starting role following Jack Doyle's retirement. In 2023, he recorded just 13 receptions for 161 yards and three touchdowns.

At 30 years old, he's entering the final years of his prime at the tight end position, and there are much younger players with more upside on the roster.

That includes 2022 third-round pick Jelani Woods, who missed his entire second season due to nagging hamstring injuries.

Without any guarantees holding him to the roster, the Colts could make Alie-Cox a roster casualty when rosters are trimmed to 53 players following the preseason.