2018 Colts Free Agent Decisions: Linebacker Jon Bostic
By Andrew Ites
Jon Bostic was really the only bright spot at linebacker for the Colts this season. Should general manager Chris Ballard spend some money to keep Bostic in Indianapolis on a long-term deal?
Chris Ballard decided to take a chance on a few players this offseason by signing them to one-year “prove it” deals. One of those players was Jon Bostic, and he has made good on that contract with his performance this season.
After being on three different NFL rosters in his first four seasons, and suffering a serious injury, Bostic’s career was in the balance entering 2017. Ballard gave him a one-year $690,000 contract with no real guarantee that he would make the 53-man roster coming out of training camp.
Not only did Bostic make the roster, he became the Colts’ starter at middle linebacker and he’s been an above average performer at that position this season.
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Bostic had 57 tackles with 40 assists, a sack, and 3 pass breakups before being sent to injured reserve before Week 16.
His season-ending injury isn’t supposed to be too serious, but he does have a bit of a checkered injury history during his time in the league.
Bostic is set to be a free agent this offseason, and he’ll definitely get some sort of a multi-year deal in free agency from one of the 32 NFL teams.
The Colts don’t have any sort of talent at inside linebacker on their roster, and that position will require a major rebuild. Bostic has played well enough this year to deserve to be back in Indianapolis next season as Chris Ballard tries to acquire a couple of other players to play next to him in the middle of the defense.
Next: Colts Head Coaching Search Wish List: Pat Shurmur
Here are some other free agents who will create some tough decisions this offseason: