The Indianapolis Colts will not re-sign Reggie Wayne this offseason, ending a long run for the wide receiver with the organization and that means the free agent will be a target on the market next week and teams like the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets could be interested.
According to ESPN.com, Wayne will not be re-signed by the Colts this offseason, with Jim Irsay announcing the team will allow Wayne to enter free agency. Wayne leaves the Colts as one of the most productive receivers in NFL history and he spent 14 seasons with the team overall. Wayne leads the franchise in games played and wins and also is second in number of categories, including receptions, yards, and touchdown catches by a wide receiver.
The Indianapolis Star reported after the AFC Championship game that Wayne would take time to decide if he would come back for another season or retire. At the time it was expected that the Colts would let Wayne hit free agency, but reports said there also could be a chance he returned to the team in a mentor-like role. The Colts obviously made their decision before Wayne made his and now if he wants to come back, it will not be in Indy.
Wayne is 36 years old and will turn 37 towards the end of the season, but he could still be a productive option in a limited role. Wayne had 64 receptions for 779 yards in 15 games last season and while that was his worst season in a decade, it's fairly productive for a player at his age. Wayne was injured in 2013 and missed over half the season with an ACL injury and he was able to come back the following season.
Wayne dealt with a triceps injury at the end of the season and he had surgery this offseason. The Colts are comfortable using TY Hilton and Donte Moncrief as their main receivers and they likely will look at the free agent market or the draft for depth behind those players. Andrew Luck had a strong season and is developing into one of the best quarterbacks in the league and now he will have one less target on offense.
It likely will be tough for Wayne to find a starting role in the league, but teams like the Patriots and Broncos like to use four or five receivers and he could catch on with a team like that. The Browns have Josh Gordon suspended for the season, while the Dolphins could look at bringing Wayne home to Florida. Wayne had 106 catches for 1355 yards in 2012 and that was his last elite season before getting injured.
