Indianapolis, IN

Colts’ Top 3 Needs (and Options) to Maximize Lou Anarumo’s Defense

Published

1 year ago

January 21, 2025

Colts’ Top 3 Needs (and Options) to Maximize Lou Anarumo’s Defense

The Indianapolis Colts have reportedly hired Lou Anarumo to be their next defensive coordinator. The former Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller will bring an innovative and unique style to Indianapolis next season (and hopefully beyond).

The Colts have several good pieces to offer Anarumo, including former Pro Bowl nickel cornerback Kenny Moore II and former All-Pro DeForest Buckner. Grover Stewart should also excel in the same scheme that D.J. Reader once thrived in with the Bengals. Aside from those three staples, the rest of the Colts’ defense could be in limbo going forward.

The Colts need to add some veteran help to raise the floor of this defense, or the team could face the same issues the Bengals faced last season. The Colts must bring in veterans for these three roles this offseason for Anarumo’s defense to be successful in 2025.

Coverage Linebacker

Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson (11) celebrates his interception with safety Jordan Poyer (21) during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Anarumo’s linebackers are the core of what he wants to do on defense. Back in his peak years with the Bengals, Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt were fantastic coverage players that made an impact in the passing game. The Colts, in contrast, haven’t had a premier coverage linebacker since Bobby Okereke and Shaquille Leonard left town.

The Colts must look to free agency to improve upon this weakness. Zaire Franklin can be an adequate cover guy, and rookie Jaylon Carlies showed some impressive flashes, but the team needs to add to the room with those guys. E.J. Speed is simply not the answer for this scheme alongside those two aforementioned players.

Tyrel Dodson (Miami Dolphins), Cody Barton (Denver Broncos), and/or Ernest Jones (Seattle Seahawks) could be viable options to upgrade the Colts’ current roster. Dodson, in particular, is an intriguing option, as the athletic linebacker finished last season with three interceptions (most among all linebackers in the league).

Centerfield Safety

Sep 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) fumbles the football after a tackle from Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland (8) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The other massive need to address this offseason is deep centerfield safety. Anarumo likes to play out of a single-high structure, and a sideline-to-sideline free safety is a must for his system to survive. In his best years with the Bengals, Jessie Bates was the star roamer over the top.

The Colts have a young strong safety coming off of a career-best season in Nick Cross, but they desperately need a legit cover guy next to him. Julian Blackmon had his worst career season in 2024, and he shouldn’t be an option to start again next year. The Colts need outside help either in the draft or in free agency to improve at free safety.

Jevon Holland (Dolphins), Trevon Moehrig (Las Vegas Raiders), and/or Justin Reid (Kansas City Chiefs) are among the options that could make sense in free agency. Holland would be particularly interesting if he hits the market, but Moehrig could be an interesting consolation prize if he doesn’t.

Veteran Help at Cornerback

Oct 6, 2024; Tottenham, ENG; New York Jets Defensive Back D.J. Reed (4) complains about a foul in the 2nd Quarter against Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images / Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images

As it currently stands, the Colts only have two playable outside cornerbacks on the roster (Samuel Womack, Jaylon Jones). JuJu Brents has not shown the ability to stay healthy, and after him, the cupboard is bare on the roster. The Colts must add some veteran competition to the room to alleviate some growing pains to the new system.

On the higher end, the Colts could look into players like D.J. Reed (New York Jets), Charvarius Ward (San Francisco 49ers), and/or Rasul Douglas (Buffalo Bills) to come in and immediately start next season. Reed, in particular, would be an excellent fit alongside Jones on the outside as a starter.

Even on the lower end, the Colts could look at players like Benjamin St. Juste (Washington Commanders), Shaquill Griffin (Minnesota Vikings), and/or Eric Stokes (Green Bay Packers) simply to come in and compete this offseason. These players, at the very least, would be upgrades over the Colts’ current backups on the team.

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Indianapolis, IN

New exhibit at Indiana Historical Society celebrates U.S. 250th anniversary

Published

10 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

New exhibit at Indiana Historical Society celebrates U.S. 250th anniversary

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Historical Society new exhibit, Freedom’s Framework, is opening Saturday which celebrates the United States’ 250th anniversary at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.

The Historical Society says the exhibit explores how the ideals set forth at the country’s founding influenced its expansion and development, particularly in the Old Northwest Territory.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 is the main feature of the exhibit which is a piece of legislation that established a blueprint for governing new territories and admitting states to the Union.

“Freedom’s Framework is an opportunity to connect people to the ideas that built this country and to better understand how those ideas were tested, challenged and carried forward. As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, this exhibit invites visitors to reflect not just on where we’ve been, but on how those foundational principles continue to shape our future,” said Jody Blankenship, President and CEO of the Indiana Historical Society.

Freedom’s Framework will feature a range of historical materials, including rare documents, artifacts and images from the Indiana Historical Society’s and other institution’s collections.

The exhibit will remain on view through August 7, 2027.

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Indianapolis, IN

NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis breaks attendance records

Published

22 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

NCAA Final Four in Indianapolis breaks attendance records

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The NCAA has released Final Four attendance numbers.

More than 86,000 people attended the Fan Fest at the Indianapolis Convention Center during the Final Four Weekend.

It broke the overall attendance record and single-day records for Friday, Saturday, and Monday.

The NCAA says more than 142,000 people attended the semifinals and the national championship—
not to mention the thousands who showed up for fan activities.

For downtown businesses, that turnout translated into a major boost.

At 16-Bit Barcade in the heart of downtown Indy, things have slowed down compared to last week.
Staff say the Final Four more than doubled their usual customer traffic. Host Trinity Surbrook said, “We got to the point where we were telling people to stop and wait we’re not letting people in at that moment, and we’re waiting for other people to leave. It was a whole lot. We made bunch of good money and it was a lot of fun.”

The NCAA reports fans came from 49 of 50 states and 12 countries. “It was so interesting to see people passionate about the Final Four not even from this country.” Surbrook recalled customers from Australia. “It was really awesome, it was interesting.”

The weekend also featured a music festival with Post Malone and Twenty One Pilots, drawing more than 73,000 fans which was just steps away from the bar.

“There were thousands of people out. Just seeing the sidewalk traffic and seeing everyone on their feet. The festival was great for the city,” said general manager Janelle Miller. “When that festival ended, we saw hundreds of people hit the street and go in all different directions.” Miller said it didn’t just benefit pockets of the downtown but everywhere.

Miller said Saturday was their busiest day because there were a lot of activities to do. The employees served more than 6,000 drinks over the weekend. “I would say, we had numbers that I haven’t seen in probably 2 years on a Friday and Saturday. Which is refreshing to see.”

Now that the Final Four is over, the staff at 16-Bit said they are looking forward to what’s next: the Indianapolis 500.

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Indianapolis, IN

9-year veteran defensive back, Colts agree to seek trade. How it impacts Colts’ future

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

9-year veteran defensive back, Colts agree to seek trade. How it impacts Colts’ future

The Colts and veteran slot cornerback Kenny Moore II, one of the franchise’s longest-tenured active players, have mutually agreed to pursue a trade this offseason, a league source confirmed to IndyStar on Friday

Moore, who has spent nine of his NFL seasons in Indianapolis after emerging from the 2017 draft an undrafted free agent and landing with the Colts following a training camp spent in New England, would be the second team captain dealt this offseason (along with linebacker Zaire Franklin) — should a trade partner be found before the 2026 season ramps up — and second bonafide team leader, along with former No. 1 wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Coming off a start to a season where the Colts sprinted out to an 8-2 start to hold the top spot in the AFC, only to finish on a seven-game slide that often featured a crumbling defense in high-pressure moments, longtime Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard pledged early this offseason to get “younger and faster” on defense.

The notion has often been associated, in particular, with the team’s front seven, but in the Colts’ secondary, which one could argue is almost bursting at the seams with starting-caliber talent, Moore is far and away the most veteran member at the nickel corner position — a spot on the field that future second-year corner Justin Walley may be primed to slide into in order to get the rehabbing former third-round pick on the field with the outside corner spots spoken for by All-Pros Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward.

Given the Colts’ lack of a clear-cut starting strong safety alongside free safety Camryn Bynum, there was reason to wonder, too, if Moore could be asked — or even challenged in camp alongside other challengers for the role — to look at moving to safety, in order to both allow Walley a spot in the starting lineup while maintaining Moore’s veteran leadership, experience and tenacity.

In 14 games in 2025, Moore logged a single interception in an early season road game against the Titans — one he returned for a 32-yard touchdown. The veteran corner also forced two fumbles, registered 1.5 sacks, recorded 55 tackles (three for a loss) and had three quarterback hits. Though some of his numbers didn’t show it — his tackle numbers marked a career-low since his rookie season, and his single interception marked just his third campaign in nine seasons without at least two picks — Moore’s 2025 season was among his best while targeted in coverage, even if he at times looked to have lost half a step while working his way back from an Achilles strain that cost him three games in the early half of the season.

In a way, Moore’s toughness as a blitzer and capabilities in the run game seemed like a solid fit for the veteran nickel corner in first-year defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s system in 2025 — particularly for a team that also lost starting strong safety Nick Cross to free agency last month. But in seeking a deal that could net the Colts a mid-round pick, Indianapolis’ crowded secondary room is likely now to have easier avenues for a 2025 camp standout in Walley or new young additions in cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt or safety Juanyeh Thomas to find their way onto the field this fall.

In 2026, Moore enters the final year of a three-year, $30 million deal signed in the 2024 offseason that again (for the second time) made the now-30-year-old the highest-paid nickel corner in NFL history. Including a base salary of $9.49 million, Moore is set to count $13.11 million against the cap this next season, including a $3.2 million prorated signing bonus the Colts paid as part of his deal two years ago. In October, the Colts and Moore mutually agreed to restructure his contract, converting $4.75 million into more bonus money while adding three void years onto the end of his deal of $950,000 each. At the time, the move created $3.8 million in cap space for the Colts over the rest of the 2025 season.

Already with roughly $26 million in cap space open a month into free agency, trading Moore would save the Colts more than $7 million against the cap for this season while saddling them with just over $6 million in dead cap in accounting for Moore’s previous signing bonus money.

Trading Moore would mean the Colts’ sixth lost starter from its 2025 roster (and fourth on defense), a class that also includes Franklin, Cross, Pittman, offensive tackle Braden Smith and defensive end Kwity Paye. Indianapolis is also presently involved in seeking out, or listening to, offers for one-time starting quarterback and 2023 fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson Sr.

Off the field, the Colts would lose in Moore the team’s three-time Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee — including each of the past two seasons, along with 2021.

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

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