Colts DT Grover Stewart addressed his upcoming free agency this offseason amid his breakout year.
While the Indianapolis Colts are currently in the middle of a crowded AFC playoff picture, we wouldn’t fault fans who are starting to look ahead to the offseason, which will undoubtedly be the most important of GM Chris Ballard’s tenure.
After all, some of his top priorities will include finding a long-term answer at quarterback as well as determining the future of impending free agents like Justin Houston, TY Hilton, Xavier Rhodes, Anthony Walker and Marlon Mack, among others.
As crucial as those players are to the Colts’ core, we would maintain the sentiment that budding defensive tackle Grover Stewart is just as important of any of them. We’ll dive into the numbers that articulate his dominance later on, but no one would dismiss the notion that he’s been a revelation against the run this season.
Well, during his latest media session, Stewart addressed his impending free agency and his comments are guaranteed to sit well with fans in Indianapolis.
Grover Stewart says he's not thinking about being a free agent at the end of the year: "I'd love to stay in Indianapolis."
— Jim Ayello (@jimayello) November 17, 2020
That’s the good stuff.
If you told us before the season that Stewart would establish himself as a must-re-sign free agent, we probably would’ve laughed in your face. After all, there were probably seven or eight players ahead of him in the pecking order heading into training camp.
Aware of this situation, Stewart showed up to camp 37 pounds lighter compared to last season and to say that it’s paying huge dividends would be a colossal understatement. The 27-year-old is still physically dominating opposing offensive linemen, but now has the edge over them in the speed department as well.
Folks tuning in to the Colts for the first time this season: No. 90 in white is Grover Stewart. He’s the best run-stuffing defensive lineman you’ve never heard of.
— Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) November 13, 2020
That lethal combination has unsurprisingly translated into exceptional production. Through nine games, Stewart has compiled 34 tackles (four for loss), and a whopping 18 run stops, which is tied for third-most among all interior defenders, according to Pro Football Focus. Speaking of which, that dominance has seen PFF reward him with an elite 73.9 grade for the season.
In the simplest of terms, Stewart has been one of the best run-stuffers in the entire NFL and it shouldn’t surprise anybody that the Colts are currently allowing the third-fewest rushing yards per game (91.8) this season as a result.
Indianapolis has found its DT of the future and we couldn’t be more amped that he wants to remain with the franchise. All we can do now is hope that Ballard makes re-signing him one of his top priorities this offseason.
TJ Carrie’s effectiveness in slot should earn him an extension from Colts
Indianapolis Colts cornerback TJ Carrie's effectiveness in the slot should earn him an extension when his contract expires after the season.