Dayo Odeyingbo has been predicted to be one of 2025's most sought-after free agents. While rumors have circulated that numerous teams are interested in the veteran pass rusher, there has been no mention as to whether or not general manager Chris Ballard is hoping to keep him. When Lou Anarumo, the Colts new defensive coordinator, was hired, he mentioned a few people on defense he is excited to work with... but Odeyingbo is not one of them.
So what, then, does Odeyingbo's future hold, and will it be in Indianapolis? According to numerous analysts, the answer to that question is no, and it's for one simple reason: the Colts likely just can't afford him.
The Colts have approximately $35 million to spend, and Odeyingbo is evidently going to attract much more than anyone might have originally expected. Albert Breer noted that Odeyingbo could get a surprise Bryce Huff-esque contract, while ESPN's Jeremy Fowler described Odeyingbo as a "sleeper" free agent who will get more money than fans may expect.
And, in the latest prediction, the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero named Odeyingbo as a free agent who will break the bank.
"There are a bunch of veteran, big-name edge rushers available in free agency -- Khalil Mack, Matt Judon, Haason Reddick, Chase Young and Josh Sweat, to name a few -- and Odeyingbo could end up with as big a payday as any of them. A second-round pick (54th overall) out of Vanderbilt in the 2021 NFL Draft, Odeyingbo took on a larger role in his fourth season and led the Colts with 50 QB pressures, per Next Gen Stats. He's one of just six players with 30-plus QB hits and fewer than 20 starts over the past two seasons. And he is still only 25 years old. Teams often bet big on upside in crucial areas like edge rushing, so it wouldn't be a shock to see Odeyingbo land a deal in the range of $16 million to $20 million per year."Tom Pelissero
At that price tag, it seems near-impossible that Odeyingbo will remain in Indianapolis. There are too many other holes on defense that the Colts need to fill to justify paying him that much money. And while Odeyingbo is a good pass rusher, to be sure, he's not so spectacular that he would be worth the Colts spending that much to keep him.
Part of this issue, if the Colts do want to keep Odeyingbo, is on Ballard; he could have arranged a contract extension before now, and kept him on the roster without having to spend an arm and a leg. But, as usual, Ballard's missteps are potentially going to hurt the Colts; in this case, by costing them a reliable defender who many teams are willing to shell out the big bucks for. With a better DC on board, there's no telling how much more impressive Odeyingbo's performance could be. But unfortunately, the chances seem slim that Colts fans will get the chance to find out.