The Indianapolis Colts fell short in the 2024 playoff race, finishing 8-9 after a rocky season marked by quarterback inconsistency. The defense couldn’t pick up the slack with Anthony Richardson benched and the offense in constant flux. The Colts allowed the ninth-most points in the NFL (427) and gave up the fourth-most yards (6,140).
Even worse, they couldn’t get after the quarterback. Only six teams finished with fewer sacks, and Indianapolis posted just a 69.9 grade in PFSN’s Defense+ metric, ranking 23rd in the league. But help could be on the way in the form of a proven veteran pass rusher.
Colts Linked With Free Agent Edge Za’Darius Smith
With the 2025 NFL Draft looming, teams are focused on the next wave of talent. But several difference-makers remain available in free agency, including three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Za’Darius Smith.
Smith played for his third NFC North team in 2024, suiting up for the Detroit Lions. Despite dealing with injuries along the defensive front, the Lions rode a strong season to the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Smith contributed four sacks in seven starts and was considered a surprise cut by some observers when Detroit let him go.
Now on the market again, Smith has drawn interest from multiple teams. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox sees the Colts as an ideal fit.
“The Indianapolis Colts added cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Camryn Bynum to the back end of their defense early in free agency. However, they could use a little more help on the edge after losing Dayo Odeyingbo to the Chicago Bears,” Knox wrote.
“Za’Darius Smith is one of the top edge-rushers still available and would be an immediate contributor in Indy. Though the Detroit Lions released him early in the offseason, he performed well in his half-season with the club. In eight games with the Lions, he tallied four sacks, three tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hits.”
Smith has now played for four teams in four seasons — a stat that might concern some front offices. But with the Colts desperate for production on the edge, his experience and track record would be a welcome addition as they try to snap a four-year playoff drought.
Rams Named Best Fit for Smith as L.A. Looks to Reload for One More Run
While Knox made the case for Indy, another analyst sees a different path. In a recent article on free agency fits, PFSN’s Kyle Soppe pointed to the Los Angeles Rams as Smith’s best landing spot.
“The Los Angeles Rams posted a below-average pressure rate when not blitzing, an area where [Aaron] Donald’s presence was missed in a direct manner,” Soppe wrote. “They were, however, elite in terms of generating heat when blitzing (fourth in pressure rate). They were able to scheme up successful situations.”
Soppe argues that adding Smith would shore up a clear area of weakness and raise the floor and ceiling of L.A.’s pass rush. With Matthew Stafford still at quarterback and the team in win-now mode, the move could make sense for both sides.
Soppe also named the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs as possible suitors. With Smith turning 33 in September, a one-year deal seems like the most likely scenario—whether in Indy, L.A., or elsewhere.