INDIANAPOLIS-- It was evident, in between the long stops and the deep stares, that Kenny Moore II wanted to claim something. Something he 'd been holding in for months. The frustrations churning inside-- not entirely from the team's frustrating period but likewise his very own-- had actually been using on him for some time, and he wasn't certain if this would be the last time he 'd remain in this storage locker space to talk on was the day after the Colts' 32-31 loss to Houston that closed the season. Moore had missed the last five games due to a high ankle joint sprain-- for him, a forgettable finish to a forgettable year. He was never a big follower of the Colts' brand-new protective system under organizer Gus Bradley, one that didn't use his position, the nickel cornerback, nearly as long as Matt Eberflus' system had the previous four years. Moore had actually started dropping hints back in training school, as well as when the period arrived, it came to be obvious: He wasn't the same weapon he had actually his numbers and also impact dropped off, his inflammation increased." I didn't offer myself the playmaking capability and the 'wow' plays that I'm made use of to, " he said. "I have it in me. I just wasn't an individual. I wasn't a man this year." min-width:500 px). iframe-podcast-height height: 200px; max-width:500 px). iframe-podcast-height elevation: 165px; He had actually been under Eberflus, this tricky, vibrant protective tool that could affect the game anywhere on the area. "Lightning in a container, " previous instructor Frank Reich called him. Moore wasn't simply the Colts' best open-field tackler. He can creep up to the line of scrimmage, beat an offensive deal with off the side as well as sack Patrick Mahomes in web traffic. He can stick around back in area protection and also swipe a one-handed interception from Derek was little of that this period, the game-changing plays Moore built his name on, plays that aided him gain his very first Pro Bowl nod in 2021. After snagging 4 interceptions in each of the past 2 periods, he really did not have a single one in 2022. After separating 13 passes in each of the previous 2 years, he separated only 's right-- he wasn't a person." Coaching and playing interact, " he proceeded. "We simply didn't click. We didn't click. I had not been able to provide them exactly what they desired, most importantly. I didn't give myself what I wanted. It was " Mentally, it was difficult to endure." Moore definitely isn't alone-- several of the Colts' leading gamers fallen back in 2022-- however his go back muddies his already unclear future in Indianapolis. He gets in the offseason with one year left on the four-year, $33 million deal he authorized in 2019, his incentive for appearing of nowhere and establishing himself as the Colts' leading gamer in the additional very early generally manager Chris Ballard's , keep in mind, went undrafted in 2017, then was reduced by the Patriots after educating camp later that summer. It took some late-night convincing from Colts scout Kevin Rogers simply to get Ballard to activate the tape; the GM, at that factor, was firmly versus cornerbacks shorter than 5-foot-10. Moore's 5-9. But by 2 a.m., after hrs of film, Ballard had seen sufficient. Moore can flat-out Colts were the only team to place in a waiver insurance claim for the Valdosta State rejoiced they years later on, Ballard paid Moore handsomely, and also earlier than he needed to, promising as he believed Moore would grow into one of the top nickel edges in the league. That's precisely what afterwards success and the Pro Bowl invite last period, Moore desired a new deal that paid him like among the very best cornerbacks in football, not simply the finest nickel. He was the 21st-highest-paid edge in 2022, making $6.7 million.) "I'm an edge at the end of the day, " he stated last summer. "You individuals view the same games we play https://www.cbsportsapparel.com/collections/dandre-swift-jersey, so I'll leave it at that." Colts' 2023 biggest salary-cap hits Player2023 cap hitDead capMatt Ryan$ 35.1 million$ 18 millionShaquille Leonard$ 20.2 million$ 24 millionDeForest Buckner$ 19.7 million-- Braden Smith$ 19 million$ 19 millionRyan Kelly$ 12.3 million$ 4.5 millionQuenton Nelson$ 12.2 million$ 30.8 millionStephon Gilmore$ 11.9 million$ 2 millionGrover Stewart$ 10.6 million$ 1.2 millionKenny Moore$ 7.5 million-- Mo Alie-Cox$ 5.3 million$ 2.3 million So Moore held out last springtime, missing some volunteer exercises, his means of letting the group recognize he desired a new agreement even though he had 2 years left on his present one. Ballard would not months later on, Moore states he regrets just how everything unfolded." I do see this place as home, and also I've constantly wished to make it work right here, " he said. "The holdout was never ever the strategy. I felt like I obtained off on the incorrect step with the fans. clearly, they raged regarding the holdout, and when I didn't provide this season. they kind of sight me as a hero at first), and also after that I became 'Exactly how attempt this man?' Promotion" I disliked that they needed to see that holdout circumstance. That was f-- ing terrible." Moore's holdout didn't last lengthy. He got on the field the first day of training camp. Yet when a gamer makes a public stance, wanting for a brand-new offer, then falls short to back it up with his play on the area, it's not an excellent understands that." I definitely didn't wan na make myself greater than anyone else in the locker space, " he stated. "That's not something I intend to be depicted as. Yet my teammates, for certain, knew where I was coming from. That's not actually a situation I wished to remain in." A high ankle joint sprain reduced Kenny Moore's 2022 season brief. Jenna Watson/ USA Today) The scenario he remains in currently? It remains unsettled. Moore's under contract for another period with the Colts, however the team's direction remains in flux, relying on the upcoming head-coaching hire. In his year-end press conference, Ballard meant the hard choices ahead pertaining to the mistaken roster he created.