Laiatu Latu needs the kind of edge rush help that Arden Key likely isn't capable of providing consistently. One free agent who could have helped the Indianapolis Colts in the situation was Dante Fowler Jr., but he has now signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
His contract was relatively cheap, too. He signed a one-year deal worth up to $5 million. Indy could have easily afforded that, but general manager Chris Ballard isn't known for being aggressive in making moves.
Fowler only had three sacks in 2025 for the Dallas Cowboys, but that's misleading. His pass-rush win-rate would have ranked first on the Colts. He is also just a season removed from having 10.5 sacks for the Washington Commanders.
Indianapolis Colts miss out on chance to sign Dante Fowler Jr.
Is he an elite pass rusher now? No, but he is still a good one and was exactly the kind of player that Indy needed. Instead, Ballard is hoping his team can see another jump in production from Latu in his third season, and that Key will be better than his career-best 6.5 sacks he had the season before last. In 2025, he only had four.
Indianapolis is also hoping that ascending second-year pro Jaylahn Tuimoloau can improve on his dreadful rookie season, when he was often a healthy scratch and didn't record any sacks. Literally any improvement would be welcome.
The team also has rookie Caden Curry and George Gumbs Jr., as well as the underwhelming free-agent addition Micheal Clemons, but no one else has proven to be good other than Latu. Dante Fowler has definitely proven to be capable of excellence during his career and was right there for Indy to sign.
Fowler will turn 32 years old before the 2026 season begins, and he is more of a pure pass rusher than a guy who will set a hard edge against the run. What the Indianapolis Colts lacked last season, though, was a consistent pass rush, especially from anyone other than Latu from the edge rush group. Fowler would have immediately fixed that.
Indy still has options, of course. Jadeveon Clowney and Joey Bosa are still available in free agency, and Clowney is a well-rounded defensive end who is elite against the run and quite good at chasing quarterbacks.
Just like with Dante Fowler, however, Chris Ballard will likely wait and watch as another team scoops up a player who could help improve the Colts' defense. For Indy next season, it's win with great offense or don't win many games at all.
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