In the painful moments just after the Super Bowl, Colts President Bill Polian sought out middle linebacker Gary Brackett and told Brackett that the team would do everything within “all reasonable bounds” to re-sign him.
It’s a significant gesture, and a recognition of what Brackett means to the Colts.
The Colts usually let their linebackers walk in free agency, with the next man up already on the roster. But Brackett means more than David Thornton or Cato June ever did. Brackett is the emotional leader of the unit, and the respect his teammates showed for him throughout Super Bowl week was unique.
Polian said Brackett’s negotiations could take a while, but it’s a good bet they will find a way to close the deal. The team could also use the franchise or transition tag to retain him.