Colts GM Chris Ballard confirmed that cornerback Kenny Moore II is seeking a trade after nine seasons with the team. Moore, a Pro Bowl selection and team captain, expressed a desire for a change during offseason discussions.
Key points
Kenny Moore II is seeking a trade from the Colts.
Moore has been with the Colts for nine seasons.
He is a Pro Bowl selection and team captain.
Chris Ballard confirmed the trade request during offseason talks.
Moore has reset the market for a slot corner twice.
Kenny Moore IIIndianapolis Colts
Colts GM Chris Ballard provides update on Kenny Moore's trade request
INDIANAPOLIS – Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II is “ready for a change,” according to general manager Chris Ballard.
Moore has spent nine seasons with the team that gave him a chance after he was cut following his rookie training camp as an undrafted free agent, earning a Pro Bowl selection, becoming a team captain and picking up three Walter Payton Man of the Year nominations.
But that’s how Ballard described the tenor of his recent offseason talks with the 30-year-old slot corner – conversations that eventually led to the sides mutually agreeing to pursue a trade for the cornerback who has twice reset the market for a slot corner.
Tight end Tyler Warren of Penn State was selected 14th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.
Defensive end Laiatu Latu of UCLA was selected 15th overall in the 2024 NFL draft.
Quarterback Anthony Richardson of Florida was selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL draft.
Q&A
What prompted Kenny Moore II to request a trade from the Colts?
Kenny Moore II expressed a desire for a change during offseason talks with Colts GM Chris Ballard.
How long has Kenny Moore II been with the Indianapolis Colts?
Kenny Moore II has spent nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
What achievements has Kenny Moore II accomplished during his time with the Colts?
Kenny Moore II is a Pro Bowl selection, a team captain, and has received three Walter Payton Man of the Year nominations.
What did Chris Ballard say about Kenny Moore II's trade request?
Chris Ballard indicated that both sides mutually agreed to pursue a trade for Kenny Moore II.
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Defensive end Kwity Paye of Michigan was selected 21st overall in the 2022 NFL draft.
Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett of Miami was selected 29th overall in the 2015 NFL draft.
Defensive end Bjoern Werner of Florida State was selected 24th overall in the 2013 NFL draft.
Offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo of Boston College was selected 22nd overall in the 2011 NFL draft.
Running back Donald Brown of Connecticut was selected 27th overall in the 2009 NFL draft.
Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio State was selected 32nd overall in the 2007 NFL draft.
Defensive end Dwight Freeney of Syracuse was selected 11th overall in the 2002 NFL draft.
Wide receiver Reggie Wayne of Miami was selected 30th overall in the 2001 NFL draft.
Quarterback Peyton Manning of Tennessee was selected first overall in the 1998 NFL draft.
Offensive tackle Tarik Glenn of California was selected 19th overall in the 1997 NFL draft.
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison of Syracuse was selected 19th overall in the 1996 NFL draft.
Defensive tackle Ellis Johnson of Florida was selected 15th overall in the 1995 NFL draft.
Linebacker Trev Alberts of Nebraska was selected fifth overall in the 1994 NFL draft.
Wide receiver Sean Dawkins of California was selected 16th overall in the 1993 NFL draft.
Linebacker Quentin Coryatt of Texas A&M was selected second overall in the 1992 NFL draft.
Linebacker Cornelius Bennett of Alabama was selected second overall in the 1987 NFL draft.
Cornerback back Leonard Coleman of Vanderbilt was selected eighth overall in the 1984 NFL draft.
Guard Ron Solt (66) of Maryland was selected 19th overall in the 1984 NFL draft.
1 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Tight end Tyler Warren of Penn State was selected 14th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.
1 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Tight end Tyler Warren of Penn State was selected 14th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.
2 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Defensive end Laiatu Latu of UCLA was selected 15th overall in the 2024 NFL draft.
3 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Quarterback Anthony Richardson of Florida was selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL draft.
4 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Defensive end Kwity Paye of Michigan was selected 21st overall in the 2022 NFL draft.
5 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett of Miami was selected 29th overall in the 2015 NFL draft.
6 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Defensive end Bjoern Werner of Florida State was selected 24th overall in the 2013 NFL draft.
7 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo of Boston College was selected 22nd overall in the 2011 NFL draft.
8 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Running back Donald Brown of Connecticut was selected 27th overall in the 2009 NFL draft.
9 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio State was selected 32nd overall in the 2007 NFL draft.
10 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Defensive end Dwight Freeney of Syracuse was selected 11th overall in the 2002 NFL draft.
11 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Wide receiver Reggie Wayne of Miami was selected 30th overall in the 2001 NFL draft.
12 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Quarterback Peyton Manning of Tennessee was selected first overall in the 1998 NFL draft.
13 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Offensive tackle Tarik Glenn of California was selected 19th overall in the 1997 NFL draft.
14 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison of Syracuse was selected 19th overall in the 1996 NFL draft.
15 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Defensive tackle Ellis Johnson of Florida was selected 15th overall in the 1995 NFL draft.
16 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Linebacker Trev Alberts of Nebraska was selected fifth overall in the 1994 NFL draft.
17 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Wide receiver Sean Dawkins of California was selected 16th overall in the 1993 NFL draft.
18 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Linebacker Quentin Coryatt of Texas A&M was selected second overall in the 1992 NFL draft.
19 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Linebacker Cornelius Bennett of Alabama was selected second overall in the 1987 NFL draft.
20 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Cornerback back Leonard Coleman of Vanderbilt was selected eighth overall in the 1984 NFL draft.
21 / 21
The Colts have no 2026 first-round picks. Here's who Indianapolis drafted before
Guard Ron Solt (66) of Maryland was selected 19th overall in the 1984 NFL draft.
Moore is not present for the Colts’ opening of offseason workouts this week in Indianapolis, Ballard said, along with backup quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr., who requested the opportunity to pursue a trade earlier this offseason – a wish, too, that Ballard agreed to.
Ballard wouldn’t be pressed as to whether he had any confidence a trade partner might be found this week around the NFL Draft, though he did note the Colts “have had some talks, but nothing has come to fruition at this time.”
Though he didn’t say so explicitly, Ballard indicated he may be willing to release Moore; saying Moore would be given “some latitude,” though he wouldn’t commit to such a move if a trade partner couldn’t be found in the near future.
Moore is entering the final season of a three-year deal he inked as a free agent in the spring of 2024. In October, he and the Colts agreed to restructure his deal, converting $4.75 million of salary into a bonus that would tack on three void years through 2029. The move gave Indianapolis $3.8 million in cap room for the 2025 season and added $950,000 in bonus money to each ensuing season.
Moore is owed a base salary of $9.49 million in 2026 and is set to count $13.1 million against the cap. Trading the veteran slot corner ahead of June 1 would leave Indianapolis with $6.05 million in dead money for this season but save the franchise $7.06 million against the cap at a moment where Indianapolis already holds roughly $26 million in cap space.
