Indianapolis Colts sign DT Jerry Tillery

Jerry Tillery's one-year, $1.487M signing earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI)—a stabilizing depth move that reflects realistic asset valuation rather than upside betting. At the DT position, where the Colts sit at 8-9 and fighting to stay relevant in a crowded AFC South picture, Tillery functions as a replacement-level rotational anchor: he's a known commodity with NFL experience, not a prospect or pending breakout, and the deal structure acknowledges that clearly. The $1.487M AAV places him squarely in the low-cost veteran category—roughly what a team spends on depth or camp-body insurance rather than a cornerstone rebuild piece. For a roster clawing back from a seven-game losing streak, the CVI reflects an economical calculation: grab a proven interior defender without tying up cap space or committing future years, maintaining flexibility if the front office pivots toward a reset. The one-year term insulates the Colts from long-term regret while keeping the door open to upgrade if the competitive window remains viable, making this the kind of pragmatic, no-downside transaction that grades out as solid but unremarkable—exactly what a C+ signals.