Indianapolis Colts sign S A.J. Haulcy

A.J. Haulcy's four-year, $7.08M signing earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI)—a pedestrian value proposition that reflects the reality of depth-piece safety economics in the modern NFL. At $1.77M AAV, this deal slots Haulcy into the replacement-level tier: he's a low-cost reserve expected to provide special teams value and emergency depth rather than meaningful on-field production at the position. The Colts are betting on modest upside at minimal financial risk, which is structurally sound for a offseason acquisition during this preseason window—there's no dead-cap exposure that handcuffs the front office later. However, the CVI grade of C+ signals that this contract offers no real surplus value; it's neither a steal nor a swindle, just fair market pricing for a rotational safety. The four-year commitment carries minimal downside given the annual number, but also zero margin for positive surprise—Haulcy would need to outperform depth expectations substantially to justify the term. For a roster sitting at 8-9 and chasing playoff viability, this is the kind of low-stakes addition that neither moves the needle nor derails cap management, making it strategically appropriate but unremarkable.