Dayo Odeyingbo was ready to cash in on the free agent market, and that’s exactly what he did.
The former Colts defensive lineman agreed to a three-year deal with the Bears, the Chicago Tribune reported. The deal is for $48 million with $32 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports.
Odeyingbo is the first Colts in-house free agent to agree to terms with another team during Monday’s legal negotiating window prior to free agency officially opening on Wednesday.
He wasn’t likely to return to Indianapolis, which boasted the highest-paid defensive line in the NFL last season. The Colts are being intentional about spreading the resources out on defense, from the front to the back, in order to better fit new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo‘s scheme.
That transformation has already started, as the Colts agreed to terms with former Vikings safety Cam Bynum.
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Odeyingbo has ascended the past two years after the Colts drafted him in the second round out of Vanderbilt in 2021 despite a torn Achilles that would wipe out most of his rookie season. He broke out with eight sacks in 2023, and though that number dropped to just three last season, he turned in 17 quarterback hits for the second straight year. He also saw his pressures, knockdowns and hurries all rise significantly.
But Indianapolis drafted Laiatu Latu in the first round last season and has another first-round pick, Kwity Paye, locked into a fifth-year option for more than $13 million this season. The Colts also have Samson Ebukam set to return after missing last season with a torn Achilles, and they re-signed Tyquan Lewis last spring.
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They could still use help on the defensive line after releasing backup nose tackle Raekwon Davis.
One potential swing the Colts could look at is Bengals star Trey Hendrickson. He has been grated permission to seek a trade after leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season while playing for Anarumo.
