March 20, 2026, 3:01 p.m. ET
Among the numerous additions that the Indianapolis Colts have made in free agency, GM Chris Ballard boosted the defensive end depth by signing Arden Key.
So what can Key add to the Colts‘ defensive end unit?
Last season, Key logged 33 pressures and ranked 77th in PFF’s pass rush win rate metric and, for what it’s worth, graded out well in run defense grade.
Key’s production has been steady, with him recording between 33 and 40 pressures in each of the last three seasons. His most productive season came in 2022, when Key tallied 51 pressures.
For a Colts team in search of more pass rush juice, Key’s ability to get off the ball quickly can help accomplish that.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
“Energy,” Key said about what he can bring to the team, via Colts.com. “Great legendary guys that I’ve played with and everything that I’ve learned from them, I can teach to the young guys, and to the older guys as well.”
Ideally, Key will fill a rotational role at the defensive end position, bolstering the depth and providing a more steady pass rush presence off the bench. He could very well slot into the role held by Samson Ebukam last season.
However, out of all the additions made by the Colts, the team still hasn’t added that high-impact presence to pair with Laiatu Latu. So as of now, Key could find himself in a starting role, depending on what happens in the NFL draft and the development of JT Tuimoloau.
“Everything they did last year,” Key said, “I mean if it wasn’t for injuries, we’d be talking a whole different story right now. They were very close and I felt like I definitely could come in and bring them over the hump.”
Key signed a two-year, $20 million deal to join the Colts after spending the last three seasons in Tennessee. This will be his ninth NFL season. He was a third-round pick by the 49ers in 2018.