The Indianapolis Colts have virtually utterly revamped their linebacker corps, as backups Austin Ajiake and Jaylon Carlies are the lone memorable holdovers from final 12 months’s protection.
Particularly, the Colts despatched former All-Professional linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Inexperienced Bay Packers in an earlier offseason commerce, whereas fellow veteran starter Germaine Pratt stays unsigned as a free agent.
Preliminary indications are that rookie 2nd spherical choose, CJ Allen, because the Colts prime choose on this 12 months’s draft class, needs to be opening recreation starter at ‘MIKE,’ probably even carrying the inexperienced dot on his helmet for the 1st-team protection.
What stays up for grabs is who will probably be beginning on the ‘WILL’ linebacker spot alongside him.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 12: Akeem Davis-Gaither #27 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates breaking apart a cross in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts throughout the first quarter within the recreation at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photograph by Justin Casterline/Getty Photos) Getty Photos
The Favourite: Akeem Davis-Gaither
After transferring on from some veterans, the Colts went cut price bin looking for a brand new veteran linebacker of their very own, signing Akeem Davis-Gaither on a 1-year, $2.73M deal. He reunites with Indianapolis veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who beforehand coached him as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals protection.
Coming into the 2nd 12 months of an $11 million contract he signed within the 2025 offseason, the 28-year-old Davis-Gaither was a wage cap casualty of the Arizona Cardinals earlier this offseason after recording 117 tackles (51 solo), an interception, 5 passes defensed, a compelled fumble, and a fumble restoration throughout 17 begins (13 video games) this previous 12 months.
Per PFF, Davis-Gaither earned only a +49.0 total grade, which was the 71st finest amongst 88 qualifying linebackers at his place this previous season. That being mentioned, he did file a +66.9 run protection grade, which graded at precisely league common, being the forty fourth finest respectively. It was a a lot stronger grade than how he fared in protection, receiving only a +36.5 protection grade. Rejoining Anarumo, he’s longing for a rebound 12 months.
Jun 10, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bryce Boettcher (50) and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Jaylon Carlies (57) take part in a drill throughout minicamp at Indiana Farm Bureau Soccer Middle. Necessary Credit score: Robert Goddin-Imagn Photos Robert Goddin-Imagn Photos
The Challenger: Bryce Boettcher
The 2nd linebacker chosen within the Colts latest draft class, the 6,1”, 230 pound Boettcher is a former First-Group All-American for the Oregon Geese protection, after main the Huge Ten in tackles (136) this previous season.
The previous notorious two-sport athlete, after additionally being drafted by the Houston Astros within the 14th spherical of the 2024 MLB Draft, options vitality, instincts, and distinctive motion abilities in house. The Colts actually like him, however expectations might must be tempered a bit for the intriguing rookie—not less than from the get go.
That being mentioned, even when Boettcher doesn’t initially win a first-team beginning protection spot throughout coaching camp, he ought to instantly contribute on particular groups and play an element at some this season defensively with accidents.
Initially, Davis-Gaither ought to win the first-team protection spot enjoying alongside rookie CJ Allen. One, as a result of the Colts most likely don’t need two beginning rookie linebackers enjoying alongside each other (in the event that they will help it) starting in Week 1, and two, it might be onerous for Boettcher to initially unseat the veteran Davis-Gaither, given his prior expertise in Anaurmo’s system and defensive scheme (and actually, within the NFL, collectively).
That being mentioned, when analyzing every of the 2 competing linebackers’ respective skill-sets, it’s not onerous to check a state of affairs the place Davis-Gaither performs on apparent operating downs, therefore beginning on early downs, whereas Boettcher may ultimately rotate in as a subpackage protection linebacker throughout passing downs in nickel. It could not occur instantly from the beginning, nevertheless it wouldn’t be stunning if it will definitely occurs down the highway.
