The Indianapolis Colts have some big decisions to make on the defensive side of the ball this offseason.
After parting ways with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, whose contract expired following the end of the 2024 season, a new name will be leading the defense.
That means some changes are coming, and it could mean a handful of new players coming in. One potential name to keep an eye on is Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton.
The two-time Super Bowl champion was predicted to spurn the Chiefs in favor of the Colts this offseason, per Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus.
“With $49 million in cap space, the Colts could splurge on a player like Bolton, who’s still only 24. Bolton was solid yet again for the Chiefs during the 2024 regular season, securing a 65.4 PFF overall grade with a 66.1 PFF coverage mark — ranking seventh among 23 linebackers to play 500 or more coverage snaps. As the Colts usher in a new defensive coordinator in 2025, Bolton would be a strong foundational piece,” Locker wrote.
In year’s past, this notion would be easily dismissed out of hand. The Colts don’t spend in free agency under general manager Chris Ballard, but things need to change this offseason.
Even star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said he’s going to be on the recruiting trail in hopes of bringing in more veteran competition from free agency.
Bolton is the type of player the Colts might need for the locker room. Just 24 years old, he’s already a two-time champion. In 16 starts this season, Bolton recorded 103 tackles (73 solo), 11 tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits, six passes defensed and 3.0 sacks.
It’s an interesting situation the Colts have found themselves in, and they may be a team to monitor for Bolton if he winds up hitting free agency.
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