The two Colts to receive indefinite suspensions for violating the NFL’s gambling policy are no longer with the team. Indianapolis waived cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and defensive end Rashod Berry on Thursday.
Both were found to have bet on NFL games; as a result, each player is banned for the entire 2023 season. Rodgers and Berry cannot return to the league without being reinstated, with 2024 representing the earliest reinstatement window.
While Berry only joined the Colts after being added off the Jaguars’ practice squad in January, Rodgers has been a key contributor on the team throughout his career. Indianapolis’ primary kick returner over the past three seasons, Rodgers also started nine games at corner in 2022. The Colts were planning to make Rodgers a key part of their 2023 secondary as well.
“We have made the following roster moves as a consequence of the determination that these players violated the league’s gambling policy,” Colts GM Chris Ballard said. “The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance. As an organization we will continue to educate our players, coaches, and staff on the policies in place and the significant consequences that may occur with violations.”
A 2020 sixth-round pick, Rodgers is believed to have made “hundreds” of wagers; some of those were reportedly bets on Colts games. Rodgers, 25, was tied to a $2.7MM base salary this season. This suspension not only will cost the UMass alum that money; it threatens his career. Rodgers working as a starter for a second straight season would have put him on the radar for a notable free agency payday in 2024 — or possibly a Colts extension — but he is now in NFL limbo.
Unaware of this investigation until recently, the Colts had already made big-picture decisions at cornerback this offseason. They traded Stephon Gilmore to the Cowboys in March and let part-time 2022 starter Brandon Facyson walk in free agency. Facyson, who competed with Rodgers for the boundary job opposite Gilmore during training camp last year, started four games in 2022. He has since rejoined the Raiders.
Although Rodgers is a 5-foot-10 cover man out of the Division I-FCS level, this is a notable loss for Indianapolis. Pro Football Focus ranked Rodgers as the fifth-best cornerback during the 2022 season. This assessment came on just 283 defensive snaps, but Rodgers had shown promise in limited duty. The 170-pound defender intercepted three passes in 2021 and recovered four fumbles last season. He also returned a kick for a score in 2020.
The Colts did use a second-round pick on Kansas State corner Julius Brents, and standout slot defender Kenny Moore remains with the team. Indianapolis also used fifth- and seventh-round picks on corners (Darius Rush, Jaylon Jones) but may need to add a veteran to replace Rodgers.
While the Lions have cut four of the five players on their roster who received gambling suspensions, Rodgers is the most notable player to be cut because of a gambling suspension. Jameson Williams, who received a six-game ban for betting on non-NFL games on team grounds, remains with the Lions. The Titans are not moving on from starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere, who was also handed a six-game suspension. Shaka Toney remains with the Commanders, though he is the only player thus far to receive an indefinite suspension and not be cut.
Both a tight end and defensive end at Ohio State, Berry played in eight games — with the Patriots and Lions — between the 2020 and ’21 seasons. While the Lions connection is notable given their lead role in 2023’s NFL gambling saga, Berry spent much of the 2022 season on the Jags’ practice squad. Detroit waived Berry in May 2022; the NFL investigation indicated Berry, Rodgers and free agent Demetrius Taylor bet on NFL games during the ’22 season.
So was it determined that Rodgers didn’t bet on his own team’s games? Because I figured he’d get kicked out of the league if he had done that.
Did he or did he not gamble on his own team? If he did he should be done in the NFL, if he didn’t why do they keep mentioning it. They say the players do not understand the gambling policy, but it seems like the organizations do not as well. If the teams understood the policies they would know the proper punishments to hand out.
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Why is it an issue when the bet on their own team to win. I could get betting against them but it’s the Pete rose argument all over again. The mlb hits leader bet on his own team winning how is that a crime?? It’s a shame he’s not in the hall of fame but so many mediocre players like Harold Baines are in
So many ignorant things in one post. To call Harold Baines “mediocre” shows how clueless you are about Baseball. As far as your shortsighted take on gambling, Pete had people that he would lay his bets through. People talk. The bookies and other gamblers knew when he was laying on the reds. So they knew when he didn’t that was equivalent to betting on them to lose. Is he really going to go all out to win if he doesn’t have action? Is he going to rest some players? Is he going to handle his bullpen differently? That is where the integrity of the game comes in. You probably think he never bet while he was playing too right? It really isn’t that hard to understand. Then he had plenty of chances to tell the truth even though they had him dead to rights and kept lying and denying until he needed to make money off a book. Then he “comes clean” Plus it was the number 1 rule in Baseball. It’s in every clubhouse. He knew the rules and he didn’t care. That’s like someone getting pulled over for dui and being like “well I didn’t hit anyone and was just trying to go home.” Well there are rules. You didn’t care and there are consequences. Can’t believe how many people STILL don’t get it and bend over backwards to defend this pedophile.
Yeah. Doesn’t make much sense to throw a game and lose on purpose when you’re betting to win.
Honestly players should be allowed to bet on other sports games if they want. Especially in the off season.
I get it though. Players could have insider information and insider knowledge which creates unfair advantages but hey if congress is allowed to do insider trading no consequences I don’t see why a dude who’s towards bottom of an NFL roster and only has x amount of time to make money can’t.
I adore when the NFL makes decisions based on “integrity”. That ship sailed under this commissioner. There are some great people of character in the league to be clear. The NFL standards are unsurpassed by any major sports league in the country.
They can bet on other sports but not at a nfl facility.
He amongst us who hasn’t bet on his own team cast the 1st stone