The Indianapolis Colts have one other beginning spot up for grabs, solely this time round it’s on the defensive facet of the soccer. Particularly, it’s on the left defensive finish spot reverse holdover Laiatu Latu.
The Colts noticed former first spherical choose Kwity Paye depart to the Las Vegas Raiders in free company, and veteran defensive finish Samson Ebukam additionally signal with the Atlanta Falcons.
Versatile veteran backup Tyquan Lewis stays unsigned as a free agent, and it seems Indianapolis is trying to get slightly youthful and quicker on the place there.
Nevertheless, this offseason did include some free agent edge reinforcements, together with one projected starter.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 13: Arden Key #49 of the Tennessee Titans takes the sphere previous to the sport in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Picture by Andy Lyons/Getty Photos) Getty Photos
The 30-year-old veteran edge signed with the Colts through the first waves of free company to a 2-year, $20 million contract with $11 million assured. Indianapolis needs to be accustomed to him, as he spent his final three seasons as a member of their AFC South divisional rival, the Tennessee Titans.
The previous 2018 third spherical choose of the Raiders group is coming a strong 2025 season for the Titans during which he recorded 22 tackles (9 solo), 6 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, and 33 QB pressures (by way of PFF) throughout 12 video games (9 begins). Not too long ago, he was named ESPN Invoice Barnwell’s finest Colts’ transfer of the offseason.
Whereas Key initially seemed like he could have been signed as Indy’s prime rotational edge off the bench, it now seems to be as if he’s the favourite to begin in his debut marketing campaign with the Colts forward of 2026.
So far, Indianapolis has not added a transparent improve or projected starter to supplant him inside the first-team protection—though former New York Jets free agent defensive finish Michael Clemons was added as additional positional depth. The Colts additionally chosen edges George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry throughout ‘Day 3’ of this 12 months’s draft.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 30: Indianapolis Colts DE J. T. Tuimoloau warms up previous to sport that includes the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts on November 30, 2025 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Picture by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos) Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos
The Challenger: Jaylahn Tuimoloau
As final 12 months’s 2nd spherical choose, the 23-year-old had a slower begin to his professional profession with the Colts than initially anticipated.
Tuimoloau, who was First-Group All-Huge Ten and a CFP Nationwide Champion for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024—with a double-digit sack season of 12.5 whole sacks, didn’t actually refill the defensive stat sheet a lot in any respect as a rookie for Indianapolis this previous season.
Moderately, Tuimoloau had 17 tackles (6 solo) and 0 sacks throughout 13 video games, as he was even a wholesome scratch at instances. It’s price noting that he performed in 28% of the Colts whole particular groups snaps this previous 12 months.
That being mentioned, the Colts seem to imagine in him sufficient the place they haven’t added an abundance of high-end reinforcements on the edge place, and he’s trimmed down barely this offseason to get extra explosive.
Colts followers would’ve ideally preferred to have seen extra of an preliminary affect from Tuimoloau as a rookie, but it surely’s solely too early to put in writing him off for his professional profession after only one season within the books.
That being mentioned, the present Colts regime hasn’t precisely had a convincing monitor document of growing defensive ends, as each Kemoko Turay and Ben Banogu instantly come to thoughts as failed second spherical picks of the franchise’s current previous on the place.
Proper now, it’s unfair to say Tuimoloau was a wasted choose after only a sole season in Indianapolis, however he must take a significant ‘sophomore leap’ this upcoming season. He had an preliminary rookie studying curve he confronted, but it surely’s time to see how he responds to it, and whether or not he can considerably enhance upon it.
If he has a robust coaching camp displaying, it’s not out of the query he may doubtlessly unseat Key as a starter.
