The Colts release cornerback Kenny Moore, safety Nasir Adderley

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts The veteran cornerback was released on Thursday Kenny Moore 2One of the team’s longest tenured players and one of its most respected leaders.

Moore, 30, Recently requested a trade After a conversation with general manager Chris Ballard. The team agreed to explore trade possibilities, but Ballard said during the NFL draft that nothing has materialized yet.

With teams well into their off-season and the Colts expected to sign rookies in the coming days at this weekend’s rookie camp, roster spots need to be made.

Moore was in line to earn $10 million for the 2026 season. The Colts save just over $7 million in salary cap space with the move.

Moore, a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, joined the Colts as a waiver claim in 2017 and thrived as one of the NFL’s top nickel cornerbacks a year later. He started 111 games for Indianapolis, recording 21 interceptions, 11.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. He is also a three-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee (2021, 2024 and 2025) for his well-documented community work in the Indianapolis area.

Moore didn’t go into depth about his trade request when it was originally made, but he told ESPN, “It’s all good. It’s all love,” indicating there was no conflict between him and the team.

Ballard, speaking last month, said, “I think very highly of Kenny, not just me personally, but organizationally. And I know the city feels the same way. At the end of the day, talking to him, he felt it was time for a change. Nothing more. And because of the level of respect we had for Kenny, we said, ‘OK.’ Not always easy, especially when you’ve got a (team) pillar … not just on our team, but in the community.”

“They weren’t always easy conversations, but they were respectful and good,” Ballard added.

One possible reason for Moore seeking the change is his anticipated role change. The Colts are believed to be leaning toward playing more aggressive man-to-man coverage in their secondary with the advantage of cornerbacks. Sauce Gardner And Charvarius Ward. But Moore built his reputation as a standout in zone coverages. Age is also not on his side as he will be 31 in Week 1 of the 2026 season.

The Colts also released the safety on Thursday Nasir Adderleyto whom They signed last month Three years after suddenly retiring at the age of 25.

Adderley was trying to make a comeback, but the Colts had little need at safety after selecting the former LSU safety. AJ Haulcy 2025 draft pick in the third round of the draft and returning from injury Hunter Ohler. Both are expected to compete for the starting job at strong safety.