While there is still a few months to go until free agency officially opens in the middle of March, the Indianapolis Colts like to get some of their housekeeping done early. For this offseason, that includes what the deal will be with veteran left tackle Anthony Castonzo.

The 31-year-old will be using this downtime to make a very crucial decision. With his contract expired, Castonzo told reporters following the season that he has to make a decision on whether he wants to keep playing for the Colts or hang up the spikes altogether.

General manager Chris Ballard said in his year-end press conference that that team will be in contact with Castonzo and that he should be making his decision over the next few weeks.

“We’ll see. Anthony and I will be in touch here over the next two or three weeks, and he’ll make a decision,” Ballard said Thursday.

Castonzo is coming off of his best season yet. As a leader on the offensive line, the former first-round pick put it all together during the 2019 season. He was among the league’s best pass protectors and was a consistent bully in the run game.

Ballard has continuously been impressed by Castonzo ever since the former arrived during the 2017 offseason.

“I hold Anthony Castonzo in high, high regard. It’s a shame that it’s the first time he’s even been voted as an alternate to the Pro Bowl,” said Ballard. “I thought, since I walked in the door, Anthony Castonzo has played at a really high level at left tackle. I can’t believe people are just now starting to recognize it.”

If Castonzo does decide to retire, that would leave the Colts with a massive hole on the left side of the offensive line and a need that likely shoots to the top of the priority list this offseason.

If that happens, Ballard’s job becomes a lot more difficult.

“I know this. Anthony loves the Indianapolis Colts, he loves being here, so we’ll see what decision he makes, and look, if he decides to retire, then it’s our job to find an answer.”