The Indianapolis Colts kept four inside linebackers on the initial 53-man roster for 2025. In years past, the team has kept six, but as general manager Chris Ballard explained in a press conference on Wednesday, with the team's new defensive scheme, fewer inside linebackers were needed.
The issue is that Indy is already making moves in order to change the players they kept. The team is reportedly entertaining former Indy starter Anthony Walker, Jr. on Thursday, and the Colts claimed Chad Muma on waivers. Muma has to be added to the active roster, but he is still on a rookie deal.
The question is what happens to every off-ball linebacker except Zaire Franklin. Joe Bachie likely sticks because he played in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's system when both were with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024. Segun Olubi might be expendable, and so might Cameron McGrone.
The Indianapolis Colts claim inside linebacker Chad Muma off waivers (but is the move a good one?)
But is Muma worth replacing them? Ballard didn't even know the team had picked him up when questioned about it in the press conference. The linebacker also hasn't been good in three years. He got outplayed in training camp, too, and his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, had no room for him.
The good part is that Muma would know one of the Colts' AFC South rivals well. He would also have an idea of how the Jags' defense will work in 2025. Anything to help potentially defeat a division rival twice?
Muma isn't an awful tackler, but he doesn't play the run exceptionally well, and he isn't good in coverage. Of the 43 times he has been targeted in the NFL, 38 have been completed, and he has allowed four touchdowns.
In other words, claiming Chad Muma off waivers and adding him to the Indianapolis Colts' 53-man roster definitely doesn't obviously improve the defense. The only obvious part is that Chris Ballard is still looking for inside linebackers other than the ones he kept on the initial roster. That certainly doesn't seem like a good sign.