The 2026 Indianapolis Colts season is not going well, and two weeks before the NFL trade deadline, they’ve already begun to sell key pieces.
Quenton Nelson was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks, and DeForest Buckner was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. There are plenty of others who could be dealt as well, with Josh Downs being one of the more obvious trade candidates on the team.
But what about beloved defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adeboware? While he emerged as a trade candidate, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo shared a positive update that the beloved defensive lineman is not likely to go anywhere this season.
Colts make trade decision on Adetomiwa Adeboware.
“Circling back here, I spoke to two teams today that talked to the Colts about DT Adetomiwa Adeboware and were told he’s staying put,” Garafolo reports. “Indy sees him as a big part of the picture moving forward. Surely that means working to extend him before he hits the FA market after the season.”
The Colts are sellers, and anyone not signed to a long-term deal is likely available. However, even though Adeboware, the Colts’ fourth-round pick back in 2023, is in a contract year, he’s not someone the Colts are looking to trade.
Instead, this report indicates the Colts are planning to keep Adeboware through the deadline, with a likely chance they’re going to try to sign him to a long-term deal.
The 25-year-old defensive lineman is having a breakout season. In seven games this season, Adeboware has four sacks and eight quarterback hits, both career-highs. He also has one pass defended, 17 total tackles, and three tackles for loss.
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What’s so impressive is that he’s doing this while playing just 36% of the snaps this season. If he can continue to play at such a high level while increasing that snap count above 50%, the Colts might have a legitimate star on their hands.
Garafolo’s report indicates other NFL teams have taken notice and tried making calls about acquiring the breakout DL.
But the Colts shut down those offers, seemingly making the decision to keep Adeboware for the rest of 2026, and likely beyond as well.
For Colts fans, seeing the team get torn apart leading up to the trade deadline is some great news. Adeboware might be around well beyond 2026, as this report is finally some good trade news for the Colts, since not all of their valuable players are on the move.
