Indianapolis Colts fans have a right to be nervous. General manager Chris Ballard seemingly has to make the playoffs next season or lose his job, but while he was able to re-sign quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce, has the GM made the team better this offseason? Would signing edge rusher Joey Bosa? Maybe.
At best, Indy is just as good offensively as it was in the first half of last season, when the team was operating at a near-historic level against some bad teams. Jones and the offense were bound to come down a bit, but even with that, still good enough to push the team toward the postseason.
The defense was iffy throughout the season, and that was before injuries started taking a real toll. The positive is that Indianapolis will have a full season of cornerback Sauce Gardner after trading for him last season. Hopefully, cornerback Charvarius Ward and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will stay healthier.
Indianapolis Colts should pursue edge rusher Joey Bosa aggressively in what remains of free agency
But massive holes exist, and have either been created or made worse by what Ballard has done. The money has gone toward the offense, and the defense has seen mediocre additions. The edge rush group simply can't be Laiatu Latu and a lot of hope. Bosa, who remains a free agent at the age of 30, would have a huge upside.
He also likely wouldn't come with a big price tag this late in free agency, and that makes the possibility of Indy signing him a low-risk but high-reward addition. According to Spotrac, Bosa's market value is $13.7 million a season. That amount is likely less now, based on how no team has apparently been overly interested in signing the edge rusher for that cost.
The former Buffalo Bills (2025) and Los Angeles Chargers (previous nine years) player appeared in 15 games last season, and 14 before that. He has had an injury-riddled history, but not most recently. He is also just a season removed from making the Pro Bowl. Bosa led the league in forced fumbles with five this past year.
The point is that he is still capable of being very good. His acquisition would help Latu see more open space, which should improve the ascending third-year pro's numbers, too. That would elevate the entire defense, which is backloaded with talent.
As the Indianapolis Colts have no first-round pick this year or next (traded to the New York Jets in return for Gardner), making a move in free agency at a needy position is important. Edge rusher and inside linebacker need help. Chris Ballard hasn't done much to make those spots better, but there is still time to sign Joey Bosa.