Indianapolis Colts v Houston Texans

There are a host of players that will become a free agent in one form or another as we begin this offseason, and no one is as important as Colts middle linebacker Gary Brackett.

Gary Brackett is the unquestioned leader of the Colts defense.  He plays with passion, he plays with tenacity, and he plays with heart.  Everything he has accomplished in his career has been earned through hard work and perseverence, so it’s no surprise that Bill Polian – the man responsible for signing Brackett as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers — speaks highly of him and regards his re-signing an utmost priority.

Despite what many people out in Colts Nation think, Bill Polian is not without flaw.  He is notoriously bad at drafting players in the 3rd round (for the most part), and has watched many good linebackers walk away in free agency, such as Marcus Washington — a player Bill Polian still refers to as “the one that got away.”  Having said that, I urge you to fret not, for Bill Polian has spoken on the status of the most underrated middle linebacker in the NFL (courtesy of John Oesher):

“I made it clear to Gary on Sunday night that we very much want him back and will do what is necessary within all reasonable bounds to get him back,” Polian said Tuesday night on his weekly radio show in 97.1 Hank FM in Indianapolis.

“It may take a while, as it did with (center) Jeff Saturday last year, because you have to work through budgets . . .”

So assuming Jim Irsay doesn’t give Peyton Manning a blank check, the likelihood that Gary Brackett will remain a Colt for the rest of his career is very good.

More to come on other Colts free agents and a breakdown of the CBA.