Colts agree to deal with Samson Ebukam, what does that mean for Yannick Ngakoue?
The Indianapolis Colts are in agreement on a deal with defensive end Samson Ebukam. What does that mean for Yannick Ngakoue’s future in Indy?
On Tuesday evening, it was reported that the Indianapolis Colts agreed with defensive end Samson Ebukam on a three-year deal worth $27 million. Ebukam is coming off the best season of his six-year career, recording five sacks, seven tackles for a loss, and 13 quarterback hits in 2022– all career highs.
He has been apart of the dominant San Francisco 49ers defense for the last two seasons, and spent his first four years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams. He’s had greater than four sacks in each of his last four seasons, and at 27 years old, there’s a belief that Ebukam is only scratching the surface of his potential.
He’ll now join a promising Colts defense and play on the defensive line alongside guys like DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, and Kwity Paye. However, there’s a question of if he’ll be playing with Indianapolis’ sack leader from this past season: Yannick Ngakoue.
Colts agreed to terms with 49ers free agent edge rusher Samson Ebukam on a three-year deal. Here's a look at what they're getting: pic.twitter.com/VGZfmFXf9n
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 15, 2023
Will the Colts re-sign Yannick Ngakoue?
With Samson Ebukam now coming to Indianapolis, it sure seems like Indy will be letting Ngakoue walk in free agency. The Colts traded away Rock Ya-Sin last offseason for Ngakoue, so the team could have an improved pass rush, and Yannick arrived and certainly helped with that.
In 2022, Yannick Ngakoue had 9.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits, and Indianapolis had the most sacks for a Colts defense in a single season since 2005. Ngakoue very clearly played a role in that, so he would’ve been welcomed back, however, it seems like Indy is moving forward with Ebukam.
Could Indianapolis sign both Samson Ebukam and Yannick Ngakoue? Absolutely. That would give Indy a lot of depth and a quality group of pass rushers. However, that outcome seems really unlikely. The Colts have already committed a nice contract to Ebukam, and Ngakoue surely will have several suitors in free agency. It would be great if Yannick Ngakoue could come back, but he’s likely one-and-done in Indianapolis.
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