Colts release cornerback Kenny Moore II at his request

The Indianapolis Colts released cornerback Kenny Moore II at his request on Thursday. Moore requested a trade in early April after nine seasons in Indy, and when the Colts were unable to make a deal, he asked to be released.

Moore, who turns 31 in August and is entering the final year of his contract, has a $13.11 million salary-cap hit in 2026. The release gives the Colts an additional $7.06 million in cap space, and they’ll carry $6.05 million in dead money for the upcoming season, per Over the Cap.

Moore’s exit from Indianapolis comes after he played 76 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in 2025, which was his lowest mark since his rookie season in 2017. From 2018 to 2024, Moore played at least 92 percent of the Colts’ defensive snaps, per Pro Football Reference. The veteran’s request to move on was due, in part, to a scheme fit issue, league sources told The Athletic. Moore has typically thrived in zone coverage, whereas Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who was hired ahead of the 2025 season, requires his cornerbacks to play more man-to-man coverage.

Despite Moore’s down season, opposing quarterbacks completed just 62 percent of their passes when targeting Moore in coverage, which was the best mark of his career, per Pro Football Reference. He also had one interception — a 32-yard pick six in a road win against the Tennessee Titans — six passes defensed, a career-high two forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks in 2025.

In Moore’s absence, Justin Walley is poised to start for the Colts in the slot. The 2025 third-round pick was on track to be a starter last year amid a promising training camp, but he tore his ACL in a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens and missed his entire rookie season. Two-time, first-team All-Pro Sauce Gardner and 2023 second-team All-Pro Charvarius Ward Sr. will flank Walley and start at the outside cornerback spots.

Moore went undrafted out of Division II Valdosta State in 2017. He initially latched on with the New England Patriots before being waived just before the start of his rookie season. The Colts claimed Moore off waivers, and he carved out a nearly decade-long career in Indianapolis. He started in 111 of the 132 games he appeared in for the franchise and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021 as arguably the best slot cornerback in the NFL. He recorded 21 interceptions, including four pick sixes, and 68 passes defensed across nine seasons.

In addition to his performance on the field, Moore became one of the most respected pro athletes in the Indianapolis community. He was the Colts’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee three times for his philanthropic efforts, and he also served as a volunteer teacher at Cardinal Ritter High School.