Colts Lose Paye, Gain Raiders Duo

0:00On April 2nd, the Indianapolis Colts just wrapped a busy free agency, adding 10 new players for 2026, but they led defensive in quieting. Pay walk after 5 years with the team. The former first round pick, who started 74 games and notched 30.5 career sacks, signed a 3-year 48 million. Dollar deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Earlier this week, the Colts felt good about moving on from pay and Samsung Evacom because they nearly landed Trey Hendrickson. That plan crumbled when the Baltimore Ravens jumped in after Las Vegas backed out of trading Max Crosby over medical issues. Fans and analysts are buzzing because pay was a steady run defender who led Indian sacks with 8 in 2024, losing him leaves a gap, especially since he outperformed expectations in spots despite not fully hitting first round hype. Now the Colts' edge room relies on rotational guys like Arden Key and Michael Clemens, plus unproven J.T. Tumelow, alongside Laiatu Latu.

1:01Free agency leftovers are aging stars like Joey Bosa or Vaughan Miller, not reliable starters, and top free agents are gone. With no first round draft pick and jobs on the line for GM Chris Ballard and coach Shane Stuykin, Indy's pass rush looks thin. Pays move might sting less long term, but right now, that Raiders duo with Crosby has everyone rethinking the Colts' offseason gamble.