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Veteran Safety Mike Adams Won’t Be Returning to the Colts

By Luke Schultheis

Nov 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams (29) takes the field during player introductions prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams (29) takes the field during player introductions prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Safety Mike Adams will not be returning to the Indianapolis Colts, as the veteran announced on social media that Monday was his last day with his current team:

The 35 year old safety started 15 games for the Colts this past season, recording 79 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 passes defensed.

Dec 5, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams (29) intercepts a pass against the New York Jets and returns it in the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams (29) intercepts a pass against the New York Jets and returns it in the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

While the 13-year veteran’s play slightly dipped this past season, he remained solid once again for the Colts at starting safety.

Per Pro Football Focus (subscription), he was their 19th best rated safety with a +83.3 grade overall in 2016.

Since signing with the Colts in 2014, the journeyman safety has become nothing short of a revelation in Indianapolis. He’s made 44 starts for the Colts over the past three seasons, while making two Pro Bowl appearances.

He recorded 12 interceptions during his 3-year tenure with the Colts.

Even though the team shuffled through the likes of LaRon Landry, Sergio Brown, and Dwight Lowery at safety in recent seasons, Adams has remained one of the few constants–solidifying the back of the Colts secondary.

That being said, Adams turns 36 years old in just a few weeks and is set to become a free agent.

With the Colts desperately needing to get younger, faster, and more athletic in their defense as a whole, it makes sense that the franchise may opt to move on from Adams.

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It doesn’t mean that Adams can’t still contribute and be a reliable starting safety stopgap for a team, but it means that the Colts are currently ‘rebuilding’ on defense and could be better served trying to develop a long-term answer at the position.

Nevertheless, Adams was highly regarded in the locker room and a veteran leader for this defense–meaning he’ll be missed. The Colts were fortunate enough to find him a few seasons ago, and he really helped solidify what would’ve otherwise been a woeful position.

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