Packers have already decided on one of their top free agent targets, and it makes perfect sense on every level
The Green Bay Packers have invested a lot in the edge defender position over the last few years. First-round pick and big contract to Rashan Gary, free agent signings like Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith, another first-round pick spent on Lukas Van Ness. And they might not be done.According to sources with knowledge of the […]
The Green Bay Packers have invested a lot in the edge defender position over the last few years. First-round pick and big contract to Rashan Gary, free agent signings like Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith, another first-round pick spent on Lukas Van Ness. And they might not be done.
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, when the 2025 free agency period opens at 12 p.m. ET on Monday, March 10, Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo is expected to be one of the Packers' top targets in free agency.
A second-round pick in 2021, Odeyingbo has had 16.5 career sacks, including 11 in the last two years. Last season, he generated 42 pressures for the Colts—that would be second on the Packers in 2024, just behind Rashan Gary (47).
"You're always looking. With pass rushers, you can never have enough," Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said after the season. "(Jeff) Hafley did a great job marrying what we had together to make a top 5, top 10 defense for sure. The strides we took during the season were really impressive, the jumps, and I'm excited to see what Jeff can do in Year 2."
Edge rusher is perceived as a position of need because Gary hasn't produced at the expected level since signing a four-year extension, and the Packers haven't had much production from Van Ness over the first half of his rookie contract.
After a few seasons with financial issues, Green Bay enters the 2025 league year with $46.33 million in cap space. Excluding procedural moves, the team has around $28 million to actually spend in free agency—and teams usually structure contracts in a way to make the cap hit lower in Year 1.
Packers' preferred style of player at pass rusher
Brian Gutekunst and Colts GM Chris Ballard share a preference for athletic players with high upside, so it's no surprise that the Packers are interested in a Colts guy. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Odeyingbo is expected to receive a contract in the $16 million to $20 million range on average per year.
Green Bay usually takes chances on players entering their second contracts in free agency. Dayo is 25, so chances are the Packers would get a player entering his prime.
If Dayo Odeyingbo ends up elsewhere, Charles Omenihu from the Kansas City Chiefs could be a Plan B. He's 27 years old and has already played for the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and has been with the Chiefs since 2023.
Both players are big edge rushers. Odeyingbo is 6'6, 286 lbs, while Omenihu is 6'5, 280 lbs. Gutekunst usually prioritizes players with at least 270 lbs at the position, with few exceptions.
Why would the Colts let him leave in free agency
The Colts have been big fans of both Dayo the player and Dayo the person in his time in Indianapolis. He's flashed some truly dominant pass rush ability and is well respected and loved in the locker room by coaches and players. The team rarely lets a solid in-house free agent walk for free, but there isn’t much of a choice in Dayo’s case.
The Colts used their first-round pick in 2024 on Laiatu Latu partly because the team knew they would have some tough decisions to make with Odeyingbo, Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam. Odeyingbo just so happens to be the first one to hit the market and, as a result, is likely the odd man out in terms of the team’s future plans.
Seeing him leave is going to hurt the Colts and their fans. Dayo has been a fantastic rotational player and deserves his chance to be a full-time starter. His versatility allows him to line up all over the line and be a true difference-maker. He's impactful as a pass rusher but also makes his presence known in the run game.
The Packers or whoever signs him would be wise to allow him to split time between the edge and the interior. He would be a dream come true for a defensive playcaller that likes to experiment with stunts at a high rate.