5 Influential Free Agent Signings by the Colts for 2025
The Indianapolis Colts have the Senior Bowl practice week in their rearview mirror with the big game coming up on Saturday, February 1st. But, while the draft is intriguing this year for Indy, so is free agency.
General manager Chris Ballard acknowledged that running back the same rosters year after year may not have been the grandest of plans. This is why free agents must be signed to help both sides of the football for Shane Steichen and Lou Anarumo.
The 6’1″ and around 200-pound corner can play physical football and provide starting prowess on the outside with names like Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents. Jones has proven to be a diamond in the rough, while Brents has struggled mightily to stay healthy.
Ward might command a bigger contract (market value is $15.3 million annually per Spotrac) but acquiring the former Pro Bowler and Second-Team All-Pro (2023) would be worth it. That year Ward shined with 17 starts, 72 tackles (two for loss), 23 passes defended (topped NFL), five interceptions, and a return for a touchdown.
2024 was a down year for Ward, and he is approaching 30 (28 years old), but perhaps he needs a scheme change and some new scenery. If the Colts can do it budget-wise ($28,367,239 cap available, per OverTheCap), they should present an offer to Ward.
Keeping it with the 49ers, linebacker Dre Greenlaw hasn’t had the best luck with injury setbacks recently. In 2024 he saw only a pair of games due to an Achilles tear. However, if he can stay healthy he’d be a great get for Indianapolis.
There’s a narrative that current free agent E.J. Speed won’t be retained, so Greenlaw can supply what Speed couldn’t; pass coverage. In 2022 (81.2) and 2023 (72.1), Greenlaw shined in coverage per Pro Football Focus and will work to get back to that in 2025.
Through his ’22 and ’23 seasons, Greenlaw tallied 247 tackles, eight for loss, 1.5 sacks, 10 passes defended, two fumbles recovered and forced, plus a return for defensive touchdown.
If Speed is allowed to walk, Indy should run an offer to Greenlaw so he can be added to a linebacking corps featuring Jaylon Carlies and Zaire Franklin, further adding firepower to the second level of Anarumo’s defense.
