The Indianapolis Colts may not have wanted to let pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo leave in free agency, but with Kwity Paye in town and first-round pick Laiatu Latu on the path to becoming a high-end starter, it was time for the former Vanderbilt star to find a new home.
The Chicago Bears, who have some money to spend this offseason, wasted no time in finding a new starting edge rusher. Odeyingbo's athletic ability, which enticed the Colts to spend a second-round pick on him way back when, was the deciding factor in helping him land a contract that may make Chris Ballard's eyes water.
Odeyingbo will join the Bears on a three-year, $48 million deal with $32 million in guaranteed money. It took a while for him to get going in the pros, but Odeyingbo eventually became a player that a defensive line-needy team like the Bears felt comfortable splashing the cash on.
The Colts were right to let him leave on the open market. Odeyingbo proved to be a solid player in the pros, but he is not someone who can instantly provide adequate value for the handsome deal the Bears managed to throw at his feet.
Dayo Odeyingbo leaves Colts to sign $48 million deal with Bears
While his pressure numbers could show that his three sacks were not indicative of the type of season he had in Indianapolis, the Colts were not willing to pay someone who has been a full-time starter for not even two seasons and is coming off an iffy pass rush season that kind of money.
The Colts have Paye and Latu locked in as the starters on the edge. If they want to add one more rotational backup, they are in luck. The 2025 NFL Draft is regarded as very deep on the defensive line, which could help the Colts land a replacement for him without spending a ton of money.
With Odeyingbo having priced himself out of a return to Indianapolis, his departure and the arrival of Cam Bynum will serve as a sign that the Colts are trying to remove the stink left on them from last year's team.