The Indianapolis Colts let a five-year starting defensive end leave in free agency, while also adding a new rotational pass rusher.
One of the main objectives for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason is to improve their defensive front seven.
The defense ranked seventh in the NFL against the run last year, but rushing the passer was a different story. Their 39 sacks tied for 15th, and six members of their defensive line hit free agency when the new league year opened on Monday.
It was a perfect opportunity to improve the group and bring in new juice to the roster.
Two players who became free agents have already found news home: defensive end Kwity Paye going to the Las Vegas Raiders and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore to the Chicago Bears.
Sep 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Neville Gallimore (92) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward (1) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesWith their departure, as well as the potential exits of veteran ends Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis, the Colts signed free agent pass rusher Arden Key, formerly of the Tennessee Titans.
Key (6'5", 240, 29 years old) is going into his ninth year after coming into the NFL as a third-round pick by the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders in 2018. He's also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers (2021), Jacksonville Jaguars (2022), and Titans (2023-25).
In 116 career games (46 starts), Key has 192 tackles (39 for loss), 30.5 sacks, 96 QB hits, four forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered, and eight pass breakups.
Key joins Laiatu Latu and JT Tuimoloau as key contributors at defensive end for the Colts. The team is likely to continue adding to their edge group, with Latu leading the way.
Paye was the Colts' first-round pick in 2021 and started all five years of his tenure after the Colts picked up his fifth-year option. In 75 career games (74 starts), Paye totaled 209 tackles (37 for loss), 30.5 sacks, 50 QB hits, four forced fumbles, five fumbles recovered, and three pass breakups.
While Paye was an above-average run defender throughout his tenure with the Colts, he never developed into a premier pass rusher, as his single-season best was 8.5 in 2023.
Despite playing the most games (17) and snaps (721) of his career in 2025, it was his least-productive season statistically since Paye's rookie year.
Gallimore leaves Indianapolis after just one year, but he made an impact with a career-best season. In 17 games (eight starts), he had 38 tackles (four for loss), 3.5 sacks, six QB hits, and three pass breakups.
The veteran tackle was an outstanding addition for the Colts last offseason, but the team recently traded for Colby Wooden, who is expected to replace Gallimore as DeForest Buckner's backup at the three-technique.