Colts headed for youth movement

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) prepares to throw during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

After signing a number of older free agents in 2015, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay acknowledged this week his team will likely need to get younger this offseason.

The Colts added veteran players like running back Frank Gore and wide receiver Andre Johnson last March in effort to make a run at the Super Bowl. That plan didn't pan out, as the injuries and ineffectiveness led to a disappointing 8-8 record.

As ESPN's Mike Wells notes, the Colts currently have 15 players 30 or older on the roster and seven others who will turn 30 this year. With that in mind, Irsay said the team will likely need to change direction somewhat heading into the 2016.

"We're going to have to get probably a little bit younger going forward and that sort of thing, but we're excited about the future," Irsay said Monday.

Included in the over-30 crowd last season were a pair of 40-somethings in backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and kicker Adam Vinatieri. Both are free agents, and while Hasselbeck may be head for retirement, Vinatieri, the NFL's oldest active player at 43, figures to return.

So while the Colts may well be younger next season, they'll still likely have plenty of veteran experience on their side.