- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,150,479
- Reaction score
- 59
The Indianapolis Colts have reportedly signed free agent defensive end Arden Key.
Key, who spent the last three seasons with the Titans, is joining the Colts on a two-year deal worth $20 million, according to Ian Rapoport.
Here are three things to know about the newest member of the Colts' defensive front.
The 2026 season will be Key's ninth in the NFL. He was a third-round pick by the Raiders in 2018 and has also played with San Francisco and Jacksonville. For his career, he has appeared in 116 games, making 46 starts.
During the most recent season, Key logged 33 pressures and ranked 77th in PFF's pass rush win rate metric and, for what it's worth, graded out well in run defense grade.
Key's production has been steady, with him recording between 33 and 40 pressures in each of the last three seasons. For some context, 33 pressures would have been top five on the Colts' defense over each of the last two years.
I would think that Key fills more of a rotational role at defensive end for the Colts, bolstering the depth and -- hopefully -- providing more pass rush juice behind Laiatu Latu. Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis are all free agents this offseason.
One head-scratching aspect of this signing is that Chris Ballard said he wanted to get younger and faster on defense this offseason. Arden is 29 and turns 30 soon.
I can't imagine that the Colts are done addressing defensive end. As just mentioned, three of their top four players from last season in terms of snaps are free agents. In addition to that, more pass-rush juice is needed. If Key is going to fill a rotational role at defensive end, then Latu's running mate, whether it's in free agency or in the draft, still has to be found, unless JT Tuimoloau is going to make a big jump.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Why did Colts sign free agent DE Arden Key?
Continue reading...
Key, who spent the last three seasons with the Titans, is joining the Colts on a two-year deal worth $20 million, according to Ian Rapoport.
Here are three things to know about the newest member of the Colts' defensive front.
Arden Key's 2025 season and career
The 2026 season will be Key's ninth in the NFL. He was a third-round pick by the Raiders in 2018 and has also played with San Francisco and Jacksonville. For his career, he has appeared in 116 games, making 46 starts.
During the most recent season, Key logged 33 pressures and ranked 77th in PFF's pass rush win rate metric and, for what it's worth, graded out well in run defense grade.
Key's production has been steady, with him recording between 33 and 40 pressures in each of the last three seasons. For some context, 33 pressures would have been top five on the Colts' defense over each of the last two years.
What will Arden Key's role be?
I would think that Key fills more of a rotational role at defensive end for the Colts, bolstering the depth and -- hopefully -- providing more pass rush juice behind Laiatu Latu. Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis are all free agents this offseason.
One head-scratching aspect of this signing is that Chris Ballard said he wanted to get younger and faster on defense this offseason. Arden is 29 and turns 30 soon.
More to come at defensive end
I can't imagine that the Colts are done addressing defensive end. As just mentioned, three of their top four players from last season in terms of snaps are free agents. In addition to that, more pass-rush juice is needed. If Key is going to fill a rotational role at defensive end, then Latu's running mate, whether it's in free agency or in the draft, still has to be found, unless JT Tuimoloau is going to make a big jump.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL free agency: Why did Colts sign free agent DE Arden Key?
Continue reading...
