The Indianapolis Colts started off NFL free agency with a bang, agreeing on a massive four-year, $116 million contract with wide receiver Alec Pierce.
Bringing Pierce back on a new deal was one of the team’s top priorities this offseason. Working out a new deal with quarterback Daniel Jones remains a priority.
However, for Chris Ballard and the Colts’ front office, there are other goals to accomplish as well. One of those goals is figure out how to generate more pass rushing. Indianapolis has agreed to terms with a free agent pass rusher to help towards that goal.
According to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Colts have agreed to terms on a two-year, $20 million contract with Tennessee Titans free agent pass rusher Arden Key.
“Sources: Former #Titans DE Arden Key is signing with the #Colts on a 2-year deal up to $20M with $11M, guaranteed,” Schultz wrote on X. “Key has 30.5 career sacks, including 16.5 over the past three years with Tennessee.”
What Will Arden Key Bring to the Indianapolis Colts’ Defense?
Key has been very productive throughout his NFL career. As noted by Schultz, he has recorded 16.5 sacks over the last three years with the division rival Titans.
During the 2025 season with Tennessee, Key played in 12 games. He recorded 22 tackles and four sacks.
Back in 2024, he played a 16-game season. He ended up with 42 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a defended pass.
While Key doesn’t bring superstar talent to the field, he’s a quality pass rusher. Being able to land his talent at a $10 million per year average is a win for Indianapolis.
At 29 years old, Key will offer the Colts some help with Kwity Paye being a free agent. This move likely does signal that Paye will be playing elsewhere next season.
Next Steps for the Colts’ NFL Offseason
Obviously, the hope for Indianapolis is that a deal with Jones will materialize soon. Recent reports have revealed that Jones has high contract demands.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated NFL reporter Albert Breer, Jones was seeking a new deal worth $50 million per season. That price tag seems a bit high for a quarterback who will be coming off of a torn Achilles.
“I do think Daniel Jones will stay in Indianapolis, but there’s a big gap that needs to be made up in the coming days,” Breer wrote.
“The Colts’ initial offer to Jones was in the range of Sam Darnold’s three-year, $100.5 million deal last offseason. Jones’s camp countered that, based on the leverage a franchise tag would have given him, a deal worth $50 million per year would be more in the ballpark of what he’d take if he did a deal before this week.”
Ballard and the Colts’ front office are sure to keep busy. Jones will be a priority, but Indianapolis will almost certainly continue searching for ways to improve the roster outside of the quarterback position as well.
Colts Make $20 Million Free Agency Move to Bolster Defense