Colts Bring Back Alie-Cox — But the Tight End Puzzle Is Far from Solved. The Indianapolis Colts took a familiar step in reshaping their tight end room this offseason, re-signing Mo Alie-Cox for what will be his ninth season in Indy. While the move offers some much-needed stability, it also highlights a bigger issue that the team still needs to tackle head-on: the tight end position remains one of the biggest question marks heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
🤝 The Return of a Trusted Veteran
Mo Alie-Cox’s journey from college basketball standout at Virginia Commonwealth to NFL tight end has been one of the more intriguing stories in recent Colts history. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017, he’s been a consistent presence ever since — first as a developmental project, then as a rotational pass-catcher, and more recently as a key blocker and locker room leader.
Now turning 32 in September, Alie-Cox isn’t the playmaking threat he once showed flashes of becoming. He finished last season with 12 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown, nearly matching team leader Kylen Granson, who has since left for the Philadelphia Eagles. While those aren’t eye-popping numbers, his value in the run game and locker room remains evident.
🧩Colts Bring Back Alie-Cox – A Piece, Not the Solution
Let’s be clear: bringing Alie-Cox back is a smart move. He’s reliable, knows the system, and offers strong in-line blocking that fits head coach Shane Steichen’s run-heavy offensive philosophy. With Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson forming the foundation of the rushing attack, having a tight end who can hold the edge and open lanes is crucial.
But this move alone doesn’t solve the Colts’ tight end dilemma.
Since Jack Doyle’s retirement in 2021, Indianapolis has lacked a consistent, game-changing presence at the position. Granson flashed potential but never broke out. Young options like Jelani Woods have yet to emerge as reliable weapons. General manager Chris Ballard has acknowledged this gap publicly, fueling speculation that the team could look to the draft for a true difference-maker.
🏈 Draft Rumors Swirl
With the 2025 NFL Draft around the corner, the Colts are heavily linked to two of the top tight ends in this year’s class:
- Tyler Warren (Penn State)
- Colston Loveland (Michigan)
Both bring the pass-catching upside that Indy desperately needs. If the Colts are serious about giving Richardson more support in the passing game, grabbing one of these prospects early could be the spark they’ve been missing.
🛠️ Colts Bring Back Alie-Cox – A New-Look Offense
The tight end room isn’t the only place where changes are coming. Alie-Cox becomes the fourth Colts free agent to re-sign this offseason, joining wideout Ashton Dulin and offensive linemen Danny Pinter and Wesley French.
But elsewhere, Indianapolis has let several familiar faces walk — including:
- Dayo Odeyingbo (Bears)
- Will Fries and Ryan Kelly (Vikings)
- E.J. Speed (Texans)
- Joe Flacco (Browns)
- Sam Ehlinger (Broncos)
- Kylen Granson (Eagles)
- Grant Stuard (Lions)
This signals a franchise in transition, building around a youthful core — and Mo Alie-Cox will now serve as one of the elder statesmen in that locker room.
👀Colts Bring Back Alie-Cox – What Comes Next?
Don’t expect this to be the last move the Colts make at tight end. Alie-Cox provides a solid foundation, but the team still needs to add explosiveness and reliability in the passing game. Whether that comes through the draft or a surprise free-agent signing, one thing is certain:
The tight end room is still under construction.
Stay tuned — the Colts might just make a splash before the draft dust settles.
