Arnold Ebiketie
Getty
Arnold Ebiketie will become a free agent
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that he wants the front 7 to get younger and faster, calling it a “definite area we need to address.”
With free agency just a couple of days away, Pro Football Focus urges the Colts to go after Arnold Ebiketie, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Atlanta Falcons.
“The Colts need a difference-maker off the edge. As it currently stands, they lack the necessary cap space to pursue top-end talent like Trey Hendrickson,” Mason Cameron wrote. “While less flashy, the Colts could target an under-the-radar option such as former Falcon Arnold Ebiketie.”
While not producing stand-out numbers, Ebiketie recorded back-to-back seasons with 6 sacks in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
Spotrac projects Hendrickson will receive a deal with a minimum of $25 million annual average value, compared to Ebiketie, who is projected to receive $9 million in AAV.
“The former second-round pick was effective with his opportunities in the rotation, producing a career-best 73.4 PFF pass-rush grade,” Cameron wrote for the PFF. “Although his sack production dropped in his new role, he was efficient with his reps, posting a top-12 pass-rush win rate (16.8%) among qualifying edge rushers…”
“At 27 years old, Ebiketie is on an upward trajectory and could be an asset to any team hoping to bolster its pass rush…”
Arnold Ebiketie has recorded 16.5 sacks and 129 tackles in his career so far.
Colts Financial Troubles
Daniel Jones Indianapolis Colts
GettyDaniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts
It has been known that the Indianapolis Colts want to retain both Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce for the 2026 season and beyond. The issue has been the salary cap and may eb force the team to go after cheaper options in free agency, as PFF alluded to.
Indy had enough to place the transition tag on Jones, worth $37.8 million and that move put the team over the cap space by $4.7 million.
The Colts are currently making moves to be under the cap space and have enough money for Pierce, who will likely receive around $20 million or more per season.
Indianapolis recently traded linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers to save around $7 million, putting the team under the cap — the Colts landed defensive lineman Colby Wooden in the trade.
If the Colts aren’t able to make necessary moves for the needed cap space, they could lose Pierce and may have to find a replacement.
Zaire Franklin Post Heartfelt Message
Zaire Franklin, Green Bay Packers
GettyZaire Franklin will join the Green Bay Packers
Zaire Franklin has spent his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts and will now call Green Bay, Wisconsin, his new home for the next two seasons.
The linebacker took to social media to thank the city of Indianapolis for his time there.
Zaire Franklin
More words to come but man Indy, Naptown.. the love is real 💙 Thank you
Franklin also posted on social media to claim his excitement about joining the NFC North team.
Zaire Franklin
Green Bay whaddupp 🧀🧀🧀
I heard yall was looking for a Dawg…
I need a jersey swap pic asap 🙏🏾 #GoPackGo
The newest Packer defender led the Colts in tackles the last four seasons and also led the league in tackles in the 2024 season, earning him an All-Pro nod.
Trading away the linebacker will leave a hole in the defense, with something the Indianapolis Colts may have to wait for the 2026 NFL Draft to address.