Jan. 19, 2026, 9:15 a.m. ET

Indianapolis Colts’ defensive end Samson Ebukam is set to be a free agent this offseason. What will his next contract look like, and could he return?

Ebukam missed the entire 2024 season with an Achilles injury. He returned in 2025, playing 416 defensive snaps over 14 games.

He finished the season logging 23 pressures and three sacks and ranked 84th among defensive ends in PFF’s run defense grade.

According to Sportrac, Ebukam is projected to earn a two-year deal worth $5.8 million in free agency. That’s an average annual value of $2.9 million.

Will the Colts re-sign Samson Ebukam in free agency?

At that cost, the Colts could certainly bring Ebukam back. However, I don’t expect that to be the case.

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As GM Chris Ballard said in his end-of-season press conference, the Colts need “more fuel” up front, referencing that more pass rush production is needed.

When discussing the defense as a whole, Ballard mentioned the need to get younger and faster on this side of the ball as well.

Defensive end is a position group for the Colts that should be prioritized this offseason and reshaped around Laiatu Latu and JT Tuimoloau.