According to longtime general manager Chris Ballard, the Indianapolis Colts are still evaluating options at their depleted linebacker position—including both externally and internally, with a mention of even ascending 3rd-year linebacker Jaylon Carlies as a realistic replacement possibility (via Stampede Blue’s Noah Compton):
After the Colts traded former All-Pro veteran linebacker Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers earlier this offseason, and with fellow veteran Germaine Pratt remaining a free agent, Indianapolis looks like it could very well have two new starting linebackers for the 2026 campaign.
The Colts recently signed veteran linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, and it sounds as though Indianapolis could turn to either the NFL Draft or free agency to potentially fill the other spot. It’s worth noting that former Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke currently remains a free agent among possible options. This year’s draft class is also pretty deep at the linebacker position, giving the Colts some intriguing alternatives in ‘Day 2’ of the NFL Draft.
Carlies being mentioned, who’s a former 2024 5th round pick of the Colts and initially showed promise as a rookie sub-package linebacker in coverage before being limited by subsequent injuries, is at least interesting to hear.
Perhaps he was never fully healthy last year, recovering from prior offseason shoulder surgery, and a later ankle injury suffered in joint training camp practice before the season’s start, but Carlies seemed to fall out of initial favor with new Colts veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo upon his return—being relegated to the third-string ‘Mike’ role and even a healthy scratch at times down the 2025 stretch run.
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