Colts Add Robert Mathis to Coaching Staff
By Andrew Ites
The Colts have a long way to go in rebuilding this defense, and they’ve brought back a legendary player in Robert Mathis to work with their young pass rushers.
Indianapolis wasn’t known for their defense during their domination of the Peyton Manning era, but Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney‘s ability to rush the passer was a major factor in their team’s success.
Mathis retired with 123 career sacks during his 13-year career, which ranks 17th on the NFL’s all-time list. Mathis retired as a lifelong Colt after last season, and it only took a few months for him to come back to the team. The Colts announced that they’ve hired the five-time Pro Bowler as a “Pass Rush Consultant” on the team’s coaching staff.
"“I think it’s good therapy because you kind of wean yourself off the game,” said Mathis on his new coaching career. “It’s really helping me. I just love the atmosphere. I love the locker room aspect, the team aspect. Just being around and giving my knowledge to the younger guys, I think everyone wins.”"
New general manager Chris Ballard brought in an entirely new crop of pass rushers in his first offseason in Indianapolis.
He signed Jabaal Sheard and John Simon in free agency, who have both been solid contributors in their careers, but haven’t developed into dominant edge defenders.
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Ballard took a chance on former top-10 pick Barkevious Mingo to see if they could unlock that talent with his third NFL team.
Finally, the Colts drafted Terrell Basham out of Ohio to hopefully become the next Robert Mathis.
All of these new players have plenty to learn from the former Super Bowl champion, and Mathis has plenty of secret weapons to share with the future of the Colts’ defensive line. Bringing in an expert like Mathis can help these new Colts get after the quarterback, and turn around one of the league’s worst defenses.