Just hours before he’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent, linebacker Gary Brackett appears to be close to signing a contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Indianapolis Star reported this afternoon that negotiations were continuing between the Colts and their defensive captain. And ESPN’s Trey Wingo wrote on Twitter that his colleague John Clayton was reporting that Brackett had canceled free agent trips and could be ready to announce a long-term deal with the Colts on Friday.
It’s unclear how Brackett could have known to plan any free agent trips when no other teams would be allowed to invite him for visits before midnight, and if Brackett had already arranged visits with other teams, then those teams violated the league’s tampering rules.
But the point remains: Things look close between the Colts and Brackett.
Then again, “close” isn’t the same thing as “done.” And in less than three hours, if a deal isn’t done, Brackett can sign with any of the 31 other teams.