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Report: Colts are ‘Very Interested’ in Packers Nick Perry

By Luke Schultheis

Sep 25, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry (53) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry (53) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Indianapolis Colts are ‘very interested’ in Green Bay Packers pass rusher Nick Perry.

The 26 year old is coming off a career high 11.0 sack season and is expected to be one of the most coveted pass rushers on this year’s open free agent market:

The 6’3″, 265 pound outside linebacker also had 52 tackles and a forced fumble–appearing in 14 games (12 starts) for the Green Bay Packers this past season.

[Earlier this offseason, we acknowledged it could be ‘Perry or Bust‘ for the Colts in free agency.]

Dec 24, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry (53) hits Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry (53) hits Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via USA TODAY Sports /

Originally a first round pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, it has taken the 5-year veteran time to develop and ‘come into his own’ as a pass rusher, as Perry combined for just 12.5 sacks in his first four seasons otherwise–having a career season high sack total of just 4.0 sacks prior to 2016.

However, with top-end pass rushers such as the Arizona Cardinals Chandler Jones, Los Angeles Chargers Melvin Ingram, and New York Giants Jason Pierre-Paul all recipients of the franchise tag, Perry is arguably the best remaining pass rusher set to hit free agency.

Of course, the Colts could clearly use help at pass rusher.

Their defense finished tied for 19th in sacks with 33 total sacks this past season–although their inability to generate consistent pass pressure looked much worse from the naked eye on a week-to-week basis.

With the franchise’s all-time career sack leader, Robert Mathis recently retiring, as well as last season’s sack leader Erik Walden set to become a free agent, the Colts desperately need an infusion of impact pass rushers at the position–with no young pass rushers pushing through the pipeline.

While the Colts could still draft a pass rusher in the early rounds of the NFL Draft–even with Perry, he would provide a proven pass rusher at the position and lessen the load for any incoming highly touted rookie.

Simply put, he’s arguably the best free agent pass rusher on the market, and the Colts could really use one right now.

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