This offseason for the Colts has always been about the tight end. Now, they’ve made their first transaction at the position, bringing back veteran Mo Alie-Cox for an eighth season on a one-year contract.
Alie-Cox, 31, joined the Colts in 2017 as an undrafted rookie. At the end of the 2024 season, he decided he wanted to test the waters of the open free agent market.
“I’d love to come back, but definitely weighing all my options,” he told reporters at the end of last season.
Alie-Cox was looking for the best possible situation for himself. After a month on the open market, he’s decided to stay with the organization that gave him his first chance in football.
A former college basketball player at VCU, Alie-Cox’s strength, athleticism and physicality have translated well to the gridiron. He’s turned into one of the league’s better run-blocking tight ends, but his contributions in the passing game have waned.
The 31-year-old has 114 receptions for 1,433 yards and 15 touchdowns in 108 career games. However, 2024 proved to be the least productive season of his career.
In 2024, Alie-Cox hauled in just 12 receptions for 147 yards and a single touchdown. But that’s not why the Colts wanted him back.
As one of the team’s longest-tenured players, Alie-Cox provides valuable experience and knowledge that Indy will ask him to pass along.
With the NFL Draft less than two weeks away, it’s no secret that Indy is going to end up with a rookie tight end. Bringing back Alie-Cox should have no impact on their desire to make the necessary changes to the position group in order to see improvement.
General manager Chris Ballard knows they need more than just blocking out of the tight end group.
“I've got to be able to give (head coach) Shane (Steichen) and them a guy that can really control the middle of the field that teams have to account for and defend,” he said in his end of season press conference.
Regardless of which player that ends up being, a new addition or not, Alie-Cox will play a significant role in their development.
