The Indianapolis Colts are gearing up for a busy week as they navigate crucial decisions in free agency. After missing the playoffs for four consecutive seasons, the team is eager to end the drought. Adjusting the roster will be a key focus for third-year head coach Shane Steichen, who is determined to instill a winning mentality. Bringing in talent through free agency could be a major step in achieving his vision.
“I think culture is about winning,” Steichen told IndyStar‘s Joel Erickson. “But obviously, you have to cultivate that culture with the players in the locker room and the coaches leading the charge.”
Along with potential new signings, the Colts must also address their own free agents, including Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, Dayo Odeyingbo, Julian Blackmon, and EJ Speed.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero highlighted Odeyingbo as a player who could secure a significant contract this offseason.
“There are several high-profile veteran edge rushers available in free agency—Khalil Mack, Matt Judon, Haason Reddick, Chase Young, and Josh Sweat, to name a few—and Odeyingbo could command a payday just as large as any of them,” Pelissero wrote.
He noted that the 25-year-old is one of only six players to record 30 or more quarterback hits while making fewer than 20 starts over the past two seasons. “Teams often gamble on upside in key positions like edge rushing, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Odeyingbo land a contract in the range of $16 million to $20 million per year,” he added.
A second-round pick out of Vanderbilt, Odeyingbo started 14 of the Colts’ 17 games this season, finishing with 31 total tackles.
