The Indianapolis Colts' raw statistics in terms of sacks and quarterback pressure in 2025 were fine. But fans know better than to be happy with those stats. In important games, Indy had issues sustaining a consistent pass rush, and that crippled how good the defense might have been.
This past offseason, general manager Chris Ballard didn't seemingly do much to help the rush be better. The team let Kwity Paye leave in free agency to the Las Vegas Raiders and brought in Arden Key to be his direct replacement. At best, that's a wash. At worst, Key can't chase quarterbacks as well as Paye could when he was playing his best.
Of course, the edge rushers need help, too. Interior pressure would allow the outside group to see less attention in terms of how the Colts are being blocked. After DeForest Buckner was injured in Week 9 and played just one more game after that, Indianapolis's interior rush was not good, except for one player: Adetomiwa Adebawore.
Adetomiwa Adebawore could be the Indianapolis Colts' 2026 breakout star
It is he who could be set up for a massive 2026. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, he obviously should be extra motivated to earn a big payday when his next contract is completed, but he has a solid foundation to build from in 2025.
Adebawore had a 12.5 percent pass-rush win rate last season, 25th-best among interior linemen in the league. That might not be elite, but it is very good. After not doing much in his first two seasons, his total pressures grew to 34 and his sacks to four. In his first two years, Adebawore had just nine total pressures and three sacks.
The hope and the expectation is that the defensive lineman's 2025 was a one-off. He should be better in 2026, especially after spending a full season in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's scheme. Adebawore will know his role even better and should be able to perfect it.
Indianapolis Colts fans shouldn't be surprised if he reaches 40 pressures this coming season and close to eight sacks. If that happens, and Buckner stays healthier, the edge rusher group is going to be more successful, too. If that group is, then so should the defensive backs be. This implies the entire defense should be greatly improved, enough to chase a playoff spot.
The next step for Adetomiwa Adebawore is to become a better, well-rounded performer. While he had some success pressuring quarterbacks last season, he was terrible against the run and missed 30.3 percent of his tackle attempts. Both of those aspects need to be much better. If they are, and he continues his rise as a formidable pass rusher, he could play at a Pro Bowl level.
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