Free agents who could join the Indianapolis Colts with a new defensive coordinator

The Indianapolis Colts stand to make some difficult decisions in the coming weeks and months.

They thought, after missing the playoffs the year before by re-signing the majority of their own players, that they would use the motivation of missing the postseason as fuel to carry the team to their goal of 2024. That’s not what happened , as the team took a step back.

General manager Chris Ballard admitted after the season that the team was not built well enough, and its lack of depth and competition allowed the players to become complacent.

“Make sure we have enough competition through every position,” Ballard told reporters when asked where the Colts need to improve in the offseason. “Whereas if they don’t play well enough, regardless of stature or status, they go to the bench and someone else goes into the game.”

“Bringing everyone back, that was a mistake,” Ballard reflected. “It created a complacency within… There was a justification that “You know what, I’m back. I deserve to be back.” Which, yes, you did. But there’s also an expectation and a standard that you have to live up to.

“For much that is given, more is expected. That’s the truth,” Ballard continued. “And when you’re on your second, third contract – damn right, you’re expected more to lead, to perform as if it’s all real. At the end of the day, what I’ve done is create an atmosphere, that wasn’t competitive enough it wasn’t.”

Immediately after the season ended, the Colts opted to part ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley following the unit’s top-five finish. Since then, Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen have compiled a list of five candidates they have interviewed to fill the vacancy. The group consists primarily of veteran coaches who have been coordinators and/or head coaches before, are recognized as strong leaders, and whose defenses are more aggressive than what the Colts have used in the last several years.

With those five candidates in mind, combined with the knowledge that Ballard has committed to being more aggressive in acquiring players this offseason, here are each candidate and three impending free agents for each who could join the coach in Indianapolis.

DENNIS ALLEN
New Orleans Saints 2015-24

Cornerback Paulson Adebo (Saints 2021-24) — Adebo has grown steadily throughout his four years and was on pace for a career season in ’24 before a broken femur in Week 7 ended it prematurely. The recovery time was supposed to allow him to participate when football activities resume in the NFL. The Colts need a more proven veteran presence in the secondary. Adding a playmaker like Adebo, who has accounted for nine takeaways the past two years, to a group with the oft-injured JuJu Brents, as well as Kenny Moore II, Jaylon Jones and Samuel Womack III, provides more adequate depth and competition.

Free Safety Tyrann Mathieu (Saints 2022-24) — The Colts have a young safety they may feel comfortable moving forward with in Nick Cross. But after that, everything can be upgraded. Mathieu will be 33 when the 2025 season begins, but you sign him for a year of strong leadership, stability at the free safety position and to help make Cross even better.

Linebacker Nephi Sewell (Saints 2022-24) — Sewell is primarily a special teams player, but as he is asked to play significant time in Week 18 at WILL linebacker vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneershe had a strong performance recording 8 tackles (2 for loss), 1.0 sack and 1 QB hit. At worst, with Sewell you get a solid special teams player. At best, you get a rising player who could compete with Jaylon Carlies to potentially replace EJ Speed.

LOU ANARUMO
Cincinnati Bengals 2019-24

Defensive tackle BJ Hill (Bengals 2021-24) — This is a bit of a luxury signing, but if the Colts want to maximize the time they have left with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart while finally giving themselves a solid third interior linebacker, this could be a smart move. Rotating Buckner, Stewart and Hill allows the Colts to put constant stress on opposing running gaps and the backfield. The Colts gave up over 130 yards per game on the ground in 2024.

Defensive End Joseph Ossai (Bengals 2021-24) — The Colts’ defensive end rotation could use a veteran added to it. Dayo Odeyingbo is an impending free agent, Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam have just one year left on their contracts, and Ebukam is returning from a torn Achilles at nearly 30 years old. Ossai would be fine as defensive end depth near the bottom of the rotation after producing 9.5 sacks and 74 pressures over the last three years.

Defensive End Cam Sample (Bengals 2021-24) — There aren’t a ton of good possibilities for Anarumo connections that could help explain what led to his death. However, Sample has been a solid contributor on special teams and a member of the defensive line rotation in Cincinnati. Like Ebukam, Sample also tore an Achilles in August but will only be 25 years old when the 2025 season begins.

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EPHRAIM BANDA
Cleveland Browns 2023-24

Safety D’Anthony Bell (Browns 2022-24) — Bell is primarily a special teams player, but has done some good things in 420 career defensive snaps, including two interceptions and three pass breakups. This is more of a depth signing, but it’s something the Colts didn’t really have at safety in 2024. Bell has a direct connection to Banda, as Banda was Bell’s position coach the last two years.

Linebacker Devin Bush (Browns 2024) — Bush had been considered disappointing as a former 10th overall draft pick, but after leaving Pittsburgh Steelershe went to Seattle Seahawks for a year before landing with the Browns. According to Pro Football Focus2024 in Cleveland was by far Bush’s best season, totaling 76 tackles (8 for loss), 1.0 sack, 1 QB hit and 3 pass breakups. Are the Colts taking a gamble that Bush has finally figured it out?

Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (Browns 2023-24) — Hurst has had a long, productive seven-year career, but his second season in Cleveland was a rough one. An ankle injury limited him to eight games, and his uncharacteristic lack of production came as a likely result. Throughout his career, PFF considers him a good player both in run support and rushing the ball.

BLINK MARTINDALE
New York Giants 2022-23

Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (Giants 2021-24) — At this point in his career, Jackson is perfect for what the Colts need. He’s a proven veteran with 82 career starts under his belt, but is starting to transition into more of a role player. The Colts can still start their young corners with Jackson behind them as a safety blanket.

Cornerback Nick McCloud (Giants 2022-24) — McCloud has 16 career starts under his belt and would be a good backup to the Colts’ young border corner core of Brents, Jones and Womack. McCloud is also solid in run support, which isn’t always easy to find in a corner. He also crossed Anarumo briefly with the Bengals in 2021.

Safety Jason Pinnock (Giants 2022-24) — Pinnock isn’t much more than an average starter, but the Colts had very little depth at safety in 2024. He’s started 39-of-58 career games, and while entering 2025 with him as a starter wouldn’t be ideal , he’s a great third option.

STEVE WILKS
San Francisco 49ers 2023

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (2019-24) — Greenlaw suffered a torn Achilles in the 2023–24 Super Bowl, which kept him out until near the end of the 2024 season. Being more than a year removed from the injury when free agency hits, Greenlaw could be back to himself by the 2025 season. He spent 2022 and 2023 as one of the best linebackers in the NFL, so he should still be worth a role. In his lone season with Wilks, Greenlaw totaled 120 tackles (5 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, 2 interceptions and 4 pass breakups.

Safety Talanoa Hufanga (2021-24) — Like Greenlaw, Hufanga spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as one of the NFL’s premier players at his position, earning Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors in ’22. He suffered a torn ACL in November 2023, but was able to return in seven games in 2024. Hufanga has been great in run support and pass defense and has been a playmaker throughout his career, totaling 7 interceptions, 14 pass breakups , 2 forced fumbles, and 1 defensive touchdown.

Cornerback Charvarius Ward (2022-24) — Ward is the kind of player with a winning background that the Colts need. He won a Super Bowl with Kansas City Chiefs in 2019-20 and was a Pro Bowler and Second-Team All-Pro with the 49ers in 2023. He has been to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons, has started 89 of 102 career games

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