The Indianapolis Colts' edge rush group is bound to look a little different in 2026, and not only because the team reportedly agreed to terms with free agent Arden Key. Indy will reportedly be losing Kwity Paye to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency for three years and $48 million.
Paye didn't need to come back, though. He was part of an underwhelming edge rush group this past season that needed to be revamped.
Samson Ebukam can't stay healthy. Tyquan Lewis is a watered-down version of both Ebukam and Paye. The trio didn't show up very well in most games, and that wasn't likely to suddenly change. The only edge rusher close to good was Laiatu Latu.
Indianapolis Colts lose Kwity Paye to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency
Latu could be even better in year three, but he cannot do it alone. That is where Arden Key enters. He has had a career-high of 6.5 and 11 tackles for loss. He might be a solid player, but he wouldn't be a starter on a good defense. Latu would be, so the team might need to add another edge rusher.
That isn't likely, however, at least not a top-end pass rusher. That basically rules out Indy acquiring Trey Hendrickson in free agency. He will be too expensive for a team that is already spending nearly $20 million a season on Alec Pierce now, and wants to re-sign Daniel Jones, too.
In other words, Key is replacing Paye, and probably will supply the same kind of production. At this point, Indianapolis looks a lot as it did in 2025, though there are still reasons to believe the group might improve.
Ascending second-year pro JT Tuimoloau has to be better after being fairly terrible this past season. Any improvement from him would be a positive. In his second season under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, maybe he will feel a lot more comfortable.
General manager Chris Ballard could hit on an edge rusher relatively early in the draft as well. The team doesn't have a first-round pick, but the edge rush class this year is relatively deep. A win in round two is definitely possible.
The shame is that, as things stand right now, the Indianapolis Colts pass rush group is nearly exactly the same as 2025, and that's not a good thing. To make the playoffs in 2026, the edge rushers have to be more productive. Otherwise, Indy will be sitting at home watching the postseason once again.