The Colts have locked in one of their few clear success stories from the 2023 draft, agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore on a 2-year, $35 million extension that includes a $13 million signing bonus and runs through the 2028 campaign, according to NFL Network.
For Indianapolis, it’s a welcome bit of stability at a position that’s about to look very different. With DeForest Buckner traded away and Grover Stewart, 33, in a contract year, the Colts are staring at a defensive tackle reset after having the same two starters in place every season since 2020.
Adebawore, 25, was a fourth-round pick in 2023, and the Colts’ bet on his rare speed and traits has paid off. What began as a developmental swing on a fast, rotational interior lineman has turned into something more substantial. He’s grown beyond a special teams piece and a disruptive depth option into a player the Colts clearly view as part of the next core.
That matters even more in the context of a 2023 draft class that has fallen far short of expectations. After a four-win season, Indianapolis was supposed to use that class to help drive a rebuild or retool. Instead, Adebawore may end up being the only one of the 12 selections to earn a second contract with the team.
The Colts are still expected to keep working the trade market before next Tuesday’s deadline, with a goal of adding draft picks by moving players on expiring deals. But Adebawore no longer belongs in that category. He’s become the kind of piece teams try to find and then keep.
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Colts Finally Made A Move Fans Can Feel Good About
After spending much of the season looking for stability up front, the Colts have made a move that should sit well with their fan base. Indianapolis has agreed to a contract extension with defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore, rewarding a player who has taken a noticeable step forward this year in both pass-rushing and run defense.
Adebawores growth has given the Colts a more encouraging piece to build around on the defensive line, especially with his improved disruption in the backfield and steadier play against the run. For a team that has spent plenty of time searching for answers, keeping a young lineman trending in the right direction is the kind of decision that can make the rest of the roster feel a little more settled. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Trade Buzz Puts Colts In A Tough Spot
The trade deadline chatter around Jonathan Taylor has put the Colts in an awkward position, with the Giants reportedly showing interest in the running back as they look to address both their offense and defensive front. New York is also exploring other playmakers and linemen, but Taylor remains a name to watch because of the kind of impact he can still bring if a deal ever gets serious.
Indianapolis, though, is not in a position to move him cheaply. The Colts are believed to be asking for a steep return, which makes any potential agreement tricky even for a team actively shopping for help. For now, the buzz says as much about the market as it does about Taylor, and it leaves the Colts balancing roster value against the possibility of a deadline move that may never get close. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Suddenly Have A Daniel Jones Trade Deadline Question
The quarterback market always gets a little strange when the trade deadline starts creeping up, and Daniel Jones has found his way into that conversation in Indianapolis. Adam Schefter raised the possibility that the Colts could field calls on Jones, noting that unexpected deals can surface this time of year even when nothing is imminent. It is a notable turn for a player the Colts signed to a two-year contract this offseason, a move that was supposed to add stability, not create another deadline subplot.
Jones' season has not made the speculation any easier to dismiss, with turnovers and efficiency issues hanging over his first months in Indianapolis. For a team trying to sort out its long-term quarterback picture, the idea of even listening on him would be a significant pivot, especially with the deadline approaching and other clubs monitoring the market for help. Schefter stopped short of reporting any confirmed talks, but he did leave open the possibility that the Colts could become part of a late scramble if the right phone call comes in. [Read more 🡒]