You remember that iconic episode of "Oprah" several years ago when she gave everyone in the audience a car?In a way, that's similar to how the have treated their own players.New deals for wide receiver . (three years, $70 million), linebacker (three years, $31.26 million), nickelback (three years, $30 million) and defensive tackle (three years, $39 million) highlight the more than $170 million in contract value Indianapolis has awarded in-house free agents and extension-eligible players this offseason. The team has made just two outside free-agent signings: quarterback and defensive tackle , both of whom will be backups.The Colts will have e sentially the same core in 2024.ADVERTISEMENT "I'm encouraged in where we're going," general manager Chris Ballard said at his end-of-season pre s conference in January.Ballard has always been the type to reward homegrown talent, even those at non-premium positions (second contracts Dallas Cowboys Jersey for running back , linebacker and left guard are among the most notable). But that precedent is as justified as ever this offseason. The Colts in 2023 won nine games with a rookie head coach (Shane Steichen) and their starting quarterback () playing just 173 snaps, not to mention multi-game absences for a slew of their best players, including Alfred Morris Jersey Taylor, Stewart and right tackle .Those are reasons for Indianapolis to believe it's on the ascent, even with just two playoff appearances one victory in six seasons and counting with Ballard.Pittman is a trusted, No. 1 target to help Richardson continue develop. Franklin has broken the franchise tackle record in back-to-back seasons. Moore, who becomes one of the league's highest-paid nickelbacks, is the best player in the Colts' secondary.Indianapolis' run defense last season was significantly worse without Stewart, who mi sed six games due to a PED suspension. The Colts allowed just 3.5 yards per carry with him on the field, compared to 4.5 without, according to Next Gen Stats. He would've been difficult to replace.Cowherd's way-too-early predictions: Colts, Commanders win divisions If Richardson, who started throwing last month for the first time since his season-ending shoulder injury, can build off the flashes he showed in four games as a rookie, the Colts are well-positioned to be a playoff contender. He and Taylor could be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Mi sing seven games in 2023, Taylor showed his All-Pro talent in the regular-season finale against the , with 30 carries for 188 yards."Look, we should legitimately be competing for the division and playoffs," Ballard said. "That's our expectation. Emmitt Smith Jersey That's really our expectation every year, but I think that is really po sible here going forward."A gaping hole in the secondary remains, though. The Colts to this point haven't added external reinforcements to a young and inexperienced secondary that was susceptible to explosive plays. They ranked 16th in pa s defense last season (226 pa sing yards allowed per game) and 18th in pa s defense DVOA, according to FTN Data.Indianapolis appears to be in bad shape at safety, where it could have two new starters. The Colts' best safety from last season, (career-high four interceptions last season), remains a free agent. was benched at the end of the season in favor of former third-round pick , who's had an up-and-down tenure in Indianapolis., a seventh-round pick last year, is currently slated to start at outside cornerback alongside , who mi sed eight games as a second-round rookie. The Jaylon Smith Jersey two top options behind them are former undrafted free agents: ., who was benched early last season, and , who's coming off a torn Achilles.Colts RB Zack Mo s talks Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen Ballard foreshadowed the lack of movement in the cornerback free-agent market during his NFL Combine pre ser last month."Not nece sarily, no," the GM said when asked if having two rookie cornerbacks (Brents, Jones) made signing a veteran corner a priority. "We'll see how it works out in free agency. Look, they're going to live through their lumps and that's part of it. I thought they both advanced really well. Jones, all he did was get out there and battle each and every week. With JuJu, it's about staying healthy."The Colts' roster, like all others, is fluid this time of the year. Free agency isn't over. The draft is coming up. More roster shuffling will happen between now and September.But for Indianapolis, it's not difficult to see the vision. If the team was one game out of the playoffs with all the challenges it had last season, what could happen in 2024 with a healthy Richardson? With Tyler Smith Jersey Steichen having a year of head coaching under his belt? With continuity? With improvement from returning players?The arrow appears to be pointed upward overall.That's why the Colts opened up the wallet for their own.Ben Arthur is the AFC South reporter for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tenne sean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half. He covered theSeattle Seahawksfor SeattlePI.com for three seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tenne see. You can follow Ben on Twitter at@benyarthur.