Colts' Kenny Moore II Affirms Goals After Becoming Top-Paid Slot CB

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II has lofty expectations for himself and the team in 2024.

Things can change quickly in the NFL.

Look at how things have played out for Indianapolis Colts' cornerback Kenny Moore II over the last two seasons. After a tumultuous 2022 season that saw Moore struggle in new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's defense, the cornerback's name routinely came up in trade rumors. But a bounce-back campaign in 2023 made Moore a prime extension candidate in Indy.

The result was a return for a fan favorite and one of the top playmakers on the Colts' defense. The Colts and Moore agreed to a three-year, $30 million extension with $16 million guaranteed this week. The deal makes Moore the 19th-highest-paid cornerback in the NFL in terms of average annual value and keeps him in Indy through the 2026 season.

“It feels great," Moore said about the extension. "Most importantly, having that continuity with the team, players, coaches and obviously, my family and friends that are here today.”

Moore's new deal also makes him the highest-paid slot cornerback in NFL history. It comes after Moore put up 93 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three interceptions, two interceptions returned for touchdowns, 1.5 sacks, and two QB hits. It was a return to Pro Bowl form for Moore, and to be compensated at the top of his position is something the cornerback does not take for granted.

Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

“That means a lot," Moore commented. "I’ve been fortunate to have coaches to put me in position to make plays for this team and just do my best to execute with the perfect positioning of the coaches in the game plan. We just executed it, we just made it happen but there’s a long way to go. I think there’s a lot of room to be better and to correct the small things.”

It has been a long road to get to this point for Moore. An undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State, Moore spent the 2017 training camp period with the New England Patriots. While he was waived after camp, it was a pivotal point for the rookie and his confidence.

"I think in training camp in New England I proved myself, to myself, that I was built for this league." Moore reflected. "I belong in this league and I just kept that chip on my shoulder each day, each game."

From there, the Colts and general manager Chris Ballard took a chance on Moore. Moore was smaller than the cornerbacks the Colts normally signed, and Ballard had to be convinced by his staff to claim him. But his long arms and playmaking ability were enticing, and they ultimately brought him on board.

The gamble paid off for both sides. Moore ascended into one of the best defenders on the Colts roster. Since 2017, Moore has started 89 games while tallying 516 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 17 interceptions, three interceptions returned for touchdowns, four forced fumbles, 9.5 sacks, and 15 quarterback hits. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021.

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The average number of years a player has in the NFL is five. That number falls dramatically for undrafted players. Yet Moore is entering his eighth year in the league in 2024 and will complete his tenth year at the conclusion of his new contract. Talk about beating the odds for a player who makes a massive impact on and off the field.

“My mentality coming into the league, my mindset was just trying to get my foot in the door," Moore remarked. "From there, I just did my best to earn the trust of my coaches and teammates. Trying to be as consistent as possible to be the best player I can be on the field, let that travel throughout the community and my character and the people that I’ve been working with, trusting me enough to give me a bigger and better responsibility that came with a bigger role on the team and then eight years down the road, I’m here.”

But a return for Moore in Indianapolis was not a guarantee. Other teams were very interested when Moore hit the free agent market this week. They have seen the type of player Moore is and how he can change a game.

However, the Colts knew how big of a blow it would be to lose Moore, and the cornerback always preferred to remain in Indy. The two sides came to the best outcome and were able to strike a deal.

"I guess it was just 50-50," Moore explained when asked how confident he was on returning. "You don’t really know how the business side of things play out. Coming into the 2023 season, I just had the mentality and mindset to – my resume is going to be everything I make it on the field and then from there, I have no control. I just did all I could to represent as best as possible and we made it work.”

Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK

Moore might now be the highest-paid slot cornerback in NFL history, but that does not mean he is satisfied. Moore wants to be seen as the top slot cornerback throughout the league. He still holds the chip on his shoulder that has been present since before he entered the league.

“I would love to go back and be a Pro Bowl player, be a Pro Bowl corner, All-Pro," Moore admitted. "Everything that every single player in this league wants to be. That’s why I like the defensive back position, that’s why I like the AFC because we have the best guys at my position to want to be the best at. I’m working each day to be that person and to be that person for the Colts.”

Individual awards are not enough, either. Moore wants to help the Colts compete deep into the playoffs and contend for Super Bowls. It starts with winning the AFC South division, a feat the Colts have not accomplished since 2014.

Last year was a good start, as the Colts went 9-8 and barely missed out on the division crown in Shane Steichen's first year as head coach. But close is not good enough, and the hunger Moore and the rest of the Colts feel has only grown since their Week 18 loss to the Houston Texans. Multiple veterans have admitted they still think of that game months later.

"There was a couple of games last year we let slip away," he said. "It wasn’t just the last game versus Houston, but that was just the result of the season. We failed and we know how close we are to get back to it.”

The goals are high for Moore and the Colts for the 2024 season, as they should be. The Colts face a tough climb to get where they want to be, but be careful when doubting the man they call "Lightning in a Bottle." Moore has been overcoming the odds his whole life and does not plan on stopping now.

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