According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter , longtime Indianapolis Colts free agent starting right tackle Braden Smith is signing a 2-year, $25 million deal (featuring $13.5M fully guaranteed) with the Houston Texans:
Of course, with the Colts’ current salary cap constraints, and 2nd-year
offensive tackle Jalen Travis as a capable replacement, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Smith would be playing elsewhere—if he chose to continue his playing career, having battled a number of injuries and a debilitating mental health issue recently.
Originally a 2018 2nd round pick of the Colts out of Auburn, the 29-year-old Smith would make 105 career starts over the past 8 seasons for Indianapolis at starting right tackle. While Smith never made the Pro Bowl with the Colts, there were certainly earlier years in his career where he was worthy of such consideration and honors.
As it stands, he has to be considered one of the best draft picks of longtime Colts general manager Chris Ballard lengthy tenure in Indianapolis.
Unfortunately, a myriad of injuries and again, the crippling mental health disorder (which he’s bravely and publicly since overcome), have limited Smith the past three seasons in Indianapolis—as he’s missed 16 games combined over the past 3 seasons.
He made 13 starts for the Colts last season, earning a +65.3 overall grade by PFF, which was the 50th best among 89 qualifying offensive tackles. During 471 total pass blocking snaps, Smith allowed a sack, 6 QB hits, and 26 total QB pressures before being shut down late due to a concussion and neck injury suffered in Week 14.
Obviously, Colts fans are thankful for Smith’s contributions and playing through injuries over the years, and we wish him well—except twice a year, when he plays Indianapolis as a member of the divisional rival Texans.
