With two preseason games down, the start of the 2023 regular season is near for the Indianapolis Colts. There’s a ton of excitement surrounding this Colts team that’s entering a new era. With a ton of young talent, the future is bright for Indianapolis. However, there are still a few areas of concern.
During Saturday’s preseason win against the Chicago Bears, team owner Jim Irsay joined the broadcast for the third quarter. Irsay spent time talking about a ton of things, including a concern for the team that keeps him up at night. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the Jonathan Taylor situation, the team’s rookie quarterback, or having a first-year head coach. Irsay admitted that he spends time at night wondering about how well Indy will be able to rush the passer.
Jim Irsay is ready for Colts pass rush to take next step
When asked if Indianapolis will be able to generate a pass rush, and if young defensive linemen like Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo will be able to play up to their potential, Irsay responded that he was just thinking about that question the other night when he was struggling to sleep.
Irsay went on to talk about how Indy made a big commitment to the defensive line in the 2021 Draft, taking Paye and Odeyingbo back to back, with hopes that the Colts would have a relentless pass rush from their defensive line. While that hasn’t happened yet, Irsay expressed that he believes Kwity Paye is really close to breaking through and being an elite player.
Pays has certainly improved since his rookie season, but injuries have interrupted his ascension. After 32 tackles, three for a loss, and four sacks in 15 games as a rookie, Paye took things up a notch in 2022, recording 45 tackles, 10 for a loss, and six sacks, but in three less games. If he can stay healthy for a full 17-game season, he will certainly go to another level, and he would be the engine of Indy’s pass rush.
The way Kwity Paye leads the Colts pass rush in the 2023 season may just determine if Jim Irsay is having any sleepless nights or not.