Frank Gore Won't Return to Colts After 3 Seasons

Frank Gore's days with the Indianapolis Colts are over. 

According to ESPN.com's Mike Wells, general manager Chris Ballard told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday that the impending free-agent running back won't be re-signed when the new league year begins March 14. 

"We had a discussion. We had it multiple times during the season. Frank knows we're at the point where we need to get younger, and I want to give Frank a chance to see what's out there and see if he finishes in a place he wants to finish it," Ballard said. "He's a first-ballot Hall of Fame player. He likes it when you're honest with him."

Gore spent the last three seasons with the Colts following a 10-year run with the San Francisco 49ers. 

During his time in Indianapolis, Gore rushed 784 times for 2,953 yards (3.8 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns. Last season, the 34-year-old tallied 961 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. He also posted 29 receptions for 245 yards and a touchdown. 

As a result, Gore registered his 12th straight season with at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage. On the flip side, Gore has rushed for fewer than four yards per carry each of the past three seasons. 

However, the future Hall of Famer has maintained that he plans to suit up in 2018 despite his waning ability to rip off chunk gains. 

"Whatever role they want me to play—if it's a starter or coming in to help whatever back—I want to do it," Gore said of his next team, per Colts.com's Andrew Walker. "But I want to be part of a team. I just don’t want to be on the team; I want to help the team."

As for the Colts, owner Jim Irsay made it clear after the 2017 season ended that he wanted to pair quarterback Andrew Luck with a dynamic backfield talent. 

"You put Andrew on that field, healed up, and you put an Edgerrin James—maybe that's bigger, faster and stronger—and let this man continue to do the job that he's already begun to do, this is going to be a special place to be and a special player to say," he said, per the Indianapolis Star's Zak Keefer. 

According to OverTheCap.com, the Colts will enter free agency with $73.6 million in cap space. Only the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets are projected to have more. Indianapolis also owns the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft.