Colts take first steps to get a head start on 2026 NFL free agency with familiar face from Lou Anarumo’s past
The Indianapolis Colts have multiple defensive needs they need to address this offseason. The main one being edge rusher, with the room looking pretty bare right now, with just Laiatu Latu and JT Tuimoloau the only notable players returning to the room. That isn’t the only spot with turnover, though. Another position the Colts will […]
The Indianapolis Colts have multiple defensive needs they need to address this offseason.
The main one being edge rusher, with the room looking pretty bare right now, with just Laiatu Latu and JT Tuimoloau the only notable players returning to the room. That isn’t the only spot with turnover, though.
Another position the Colts will likely add to this offseason is linebacker. Zaire Franklin’s future with the team is at least slightly up in the air, and the rest of the room that is still on the roster left a lot to be desired. So it makes sense that the Colts are getting a head start on the offseason by working out an LB who has played for Anarumo.
Markus Bailey’s NFL and collegiate career stats
NFL:
- Bengals 2020: 11 games, 1 total tackle
- Bengals 2021: 16 games, 38 total tackles, 0.5 sacks
- Bengals 2022: 16 games, 24 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss
- Bengals 2023: 17 games 10 total tackles
- Cardinals 2024: 1 game, 0 total tackles
College (Purdue)
- 2015: 3 games, 11 total tackles
- 2016: 12 games, 97 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions
- 2017: 13 games, 89 tackles for loss, 11 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 interception
- 2018: 13 games, 115 total tackles, 82 solo tackles (Led the Big 10), 9 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 1 interception
- 2019: 4 games, 14 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack
Colts workout free agent LB Markus Bailey
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Bailey in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft after a five-year collegiate career at Purdue. He spent the first four years of his pro career with the Bengals, all of which he had Lou Anarumo as his defensive coordinator.
Last year, he signed with the Arizona Cardinals but played only one game after being suspended by the NFL for six games. He was suspended for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy.
The Colts’ choice to work Bailey out now isn’t a game-changing move by any means, but it could help provide needed depth. If he ends up signing with Indy, though, he would give the team an LB with experience in Anarumo’s scheme and would give him a better chance to carve out a rotational role in training camp.
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