The Colts already made one useful late-summer move by adding Keenan Allen, but that shouldn’t be the end of the work in Indianapolis. With the 2026 regular season less than four weeks away, there’s still a glaring spot that deserves attention: linebacker.
That room has been stripped down fast. Both starters from 2025 are gone, with the Colts trading former team captain and All-Pro Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers and choosing not to bring back veteran Germaine Pratt. What’s left now is a group that starts with second-round rookie CJ Allen, new addition Akeem Davis-Gaither, and a cast of uncertain options behind them.
The Colts have clearly pushed to get younger and cheaper at the position, and they’ve done that. The problem is that the result looks shaky. There isn’t much in that group that inspires confidence right now, and for a defense that can’t afford to be guessing, that’s a real issue.
That’s why Bobby Wagner stands out as the obvious answer, even now. The 36-year-old is still sitting on the market despite a résumé that includes a Super Bowl ring, 10 Pro Bowls, and three NFL tackles titles.
He may not be in his absolute prime, but he’s still producing at a high level. Last season with the Washington Commanders, Wagner finished with 162 total tackles, fifth-most in the league.
The numbers tell part of the story, but not all of it. Wagner is still a starter-level linebacker who reads plays quickly, handles the run well, and brings a football IQ that hasn’t faded. There’s still enough left in the tank for him to help a defense right away.
He’d also bring something the Colts badly need: reliability. Over 14 NFL seasons, Wagner has played at least 15 games in all but two years. More recently, he’s been on an impressive run and hasn’t missed a game since January 2022.
Then there’s the part that doesn’t show up in the box score. Wagner would give Indianapolis a steady veteran voice in a linebacker room that’s heavy on youth and light on proven answers. The Colts have potential there, but they’re raw, and a player like Wagner could help settle things down in a hurry.
No one is asking him to be an All-Pro at this stage. The Colts don’t need that. They need smart, affordable help on the margins, and a cheap one-year deal for Wagner could be exactly that.
In Other News...
Colts Ownership Is Already Facing A Sideline Debate Fans Will Notice
Carlie Irsay-Gordon has already become one of the more visible figures around the Colts, taking over as principal owner and CEO in May 2025 after the passing of her father, Jim Irsay. With Indianapolis coming off an 8-9 finish in 2025 and working through the rest of its 2026 preseason schedule, her presence on the sideline has naturally drawn more attention than it might for a first-year owner in a steadier situation.
Jason Whitlock recently seized on that visibility, criticizing Irsay-Gordon for being on the field level during preseason action and questioning how involved she should be compared with other NFL owners. It is the kind of sideline debate that can linger when a franchise is already under a microscope, especially for a team trying to reset its footing and move beyond a middling season. [Read more 🡒]
Former Colts Pick Is Back On Fans' Radar For A Reason
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For Colts followers, the name carries a little more weight because Johnson was part of that fifth-round class and once fit into the teams long-term development plans. He will also have a familiar face on the other side of the building, reuniting with former defensive line coach Nate Ollie as he tries to carve out a roster spot with the Falcons. [Read more 🡒]
Kenny Moores Colts Exit Is Looking Riskier By The Day
Kenny Moore IIs split with the Colts has settled into an uneasy holding pattern, and it has only sharpened the sense that Indianapolis has already moved on. Moore asked for a trade and then a release after his playing time dwindled in Lou Anarumos system, a sign that the veteran corner no longer saw a clear fit in a defense that has leaned younger at his position.
Justin Walley has been one of the names benefiting from that shift, drawing attention in training camp and looking like the player the Colts are lining up to replace Moore. For Moore, the next step has been less certain, as he remains unsigned and is working out locally to stay ready while he waits for the right opportunity to open up. [Read more 🡒]