The Indianapolis Colts' pass-rush left plenty to be desired in Lou Anarumo's first year in charge. As a result, they overhauled that room and, while they didn't make any splashy moves, it'll look almost entirely different in 2026.
Laiatu Latu will still be the heart and soul at the position. He's shown flashes of great play in his first couple of seasons, and he's striving for double-digit sacks this year. But with him slotted in one of the starting spots, the Colts still need to find someone to line up opposite him.
With Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis all gone, the Colts will rely on a combination of Jaylahn Tuimoloau and newcomer veterans Arden Key and Micheal Clemons. That might not sound exciting on paper, but this competition should keep everybody at their best in Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis Colts have multiple options at defensive end
In an ideal scenario, Tuimoloau will take a big leap from his underwhelming rookie season. He was a projected first-round-caliber talent who fell into the Colts' lap at No. 45, and while he was a non-factor last season, he might benefit from the veterans' departure to get on the field more often.
Tuimoloau played just 215 defensive snaps as a rookie, 24 percent of his team's total. He was a healthy scratch multiple times, and he didn't do much when he was actually on the field. Per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he registered a total of 14 pressures and 10 total tackles on 130 pass-rush snaps, also playing sparingly on special teams.
Now, with another full offseason to get a hold of Lou Anarumos' complex defensive system, and with revamped competition for snaps, the former Ohio State star should be put to the test and show what he's truly made of.
However, there should be a well-defined role for everyone else as well. Arden Key has always been an efficient albeit non-spectacular player off the edge, and he might be the first guy off the bench as a situational pass rusher.
He's Tuimoloau's strongest competition for a starting spot, and he has some direct ties to the coaching staff. New LB coach James Bettcher already coached Key with the San Francisco 49ers, so he's familiar with his schemes; that should give him a bit of an edge to get on the field.
As for Micheal Clemons, he'll likely take on the Tyquan Lewis role. He has extensive experience on the edge and inside as another defensive tackle, so even if he doesn't start, he should play often for the 2026 Colts.
Outside of Latu, the Colts may not have the most prominent set of names at the position. That said, the whole is often greater than the sum of its parts, and the defensive staff will have someone fitting for every situation waiting to get on the field next season.
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