Michael Clemons
Getty
Colts add Michael Clemons on a three-year deal
The Indianapolis Colts continue to make additions to the defensive front.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz revealed that the Colts have signed defensive lineman Michael Clemons to a three-year, $17.5 million deal, and could earn another $1 million.
Jordan Schultz
Sources: The #Colts are signing former #Jets DL Michael Clemons to a 3-year, $17.5M contract — with upside to $18.5M. Deal negotiated by @ErikBurkhardt and @Leah_Know of @RocNationSports.
Clemons had 8.5 sacks, 13 TFLs and 2 forced fumbles during his tenure in New York.
Clemons spent his first four seasons with the New York Jets, being drafted by the organization in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The defensive lineman played 65 games for the Jets, starting 24, recording 8.5 sacks and 119 total tackles.
The addition of the pass rusher comes a day after the Colts lost Kwity Paye to a three-year, $48 million deal to a team in the AFC West.
Colts Miss Out on Trey Hendrickson
Trey Hendrickson
GettyThe Colts were interested in one of the best free agents before his signing
It has been a wild 24 hours in the NFL world. The Baltimore Ravens backed out of their trade with the Las Vegas Raiders that would have landed the AFC North team Maxx Crosby.
With Crosby now back with the Raiders, this allowed Baltimore to retain their first two-round selection and the salary cap used in the trade.
The Ravens wasted no time in using that salary cap and signed the best free agent of the 2026 market, Trey Hendrickson, to a four-year, $114 million deal, with a maximum value of $120 million.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Colts were “involved” in Hendrickson’s free agency market and mentions that Indy “felt like they were close at one point.”
Jeremy Fowler
The Colts, Bills, Bucs, Commanders and Eagles all were involved in Trey Hendrickson’s free agency before the All-Pro agreed to terms with the Ravens, per sources.
The Colts felt like they were close at one point.
The Eagles got involved late.
Tampa pursued but on a
The Colts were heading in the direction of creating more cap space to be able to bring in the four-time Pro Bowl EDGE rusher.
Indy traded Zaire Franklin, restructured offensive lineman Bernhard Raimann’s contract, traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, among the more notable roster moves.
If the Colts were able to land Hendrickson, it would have reunited him with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who was the DC at the Cincinnati Bengals and coached the pass rusher for four seasons.
The defender had his best seasons under Anarumo, recording back-to-back 17.5 sack seasons, and could have revamped the Colts’ defense.
With Hendrickson off the board, Indianapolis wasted time bringing in the next available option in Michael Clemons.
Other Signings At the Defensive Front
Bears trade deadline
GettyThe Colts have been making additions to the defensive line
Michael Clemons isn’t the only defensive line free agent the Indianapolis Colts have acquired.
The Colts signed former Tennessee Titans EDGE rusher Arden Key to a two-year, $20 million deal.
Key recorded 4 sacks and 22 tackles in the 2025 season. In his career, Key logged 30.5 sacks and 192 total tackles.
Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard said that the team would focus on the defensive front seven in free agency and the upcoming draft, highlighting that the team would like to get better in that area of the field.
With the additions of Michael Clemons and Arden Key, the team is revamping that part of the defense.