Samson Ebukam is capable of greatness, but the Indianapolis Colts can never be sure when the greatness might come. Through much of the 2023 season, the edge rusher appealed to be a free agent gem, but then injuries began to set in.
After having 9.5 sacks and 48 total quarterback pressures, while playing elite run defense, in 2023, Ebukam missed all of 2024 after tearing an Achilles tendon in training camp. He returned healthy this season, but he missed three games with a sprained MCL. Part of the problem is that an aging player does not tend to be a healthier player.
Ebukam is now 30 years old, will be 31 at the beginning of next season, and hasn't played particularly well when he hasn't been hurt in 2025. He has just two sacks and eight quarterback hits. He's also seen diminished reps in new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's first season with Indy.
Indianapolis Colts should let Samson Ebukam walk in free agency in 2026
This should definitely be the edge rusher's last with the Colts, though. The team needs a rebuild with its defensive front. DeForest Buckner is dealing with a neck injury, Grover Stewart is a good run-stopper but past 30 years old, and only Laiatu Latu has been somewhat of a good pass-rusher.
Ebukam signed a three-year $24 million deal with Indy before the 2023 season, but that was ultimately a bad move. One good year out of three doesn't mean Indy made the correct move. No guarantee exists that Ebukam, should he be re-signed in free agency this coming offseason, would be good again.
The Colts need to make some bold moves in 2026. Trying to run back the same basic team that began 7-1 before falling on its proverbial face would be a mistake. While injuries affected how successful the season could have been, so did the strength of schedule tick up in the second half of the season. There were many reasons Indy failed to make the postseason after starting 7-1.
Poor play from players such as Samson Ebukam was part of the problem as well, especially when the competition got tougher. Ebukam didn't have a sack after Week 5, for instance, and he didn't have more than one pressure in any game after that same point.
The Indianapolis Colts making a run at the postseason in 2026 is definitely a possibility. Enough talent exists on the roster for that to occur. But upgrades are needed, and one addition by subtraction would be for Samson Ebukam to be playing his final reps for Indy in Week 18.