Colts Sign Micheal Clemons for Low-Risk Defensive Upgrade

0:00On March 12th, the Indianapolis Colts bolstered their defensive end group this week by signing Michael Clemens to a three-year deal worth 17 million dollars. This move comes as a free-age in addition to provide much-needed rotation depth up front. Clemens, a fourth-round pick from the 2022 draft, brings solid versatility at 270 pounds and can slide inside when needed. He's generated modest stats so far, with a high of 23 pressures in a season, and eight and a half sacks over four years. Fans and analysts see this as a step-up from free-age in Taekwan, Lewis, with Clemens posting a higher pass rush win rate last year, 2% overall. And nearly 7% on true pass sets. That could lift the Colts' edge rotation, which ranked 30th in pass rush win rate a season ago. The contract offers flexibility, too, with an out-after-next season that saves over 4 million in cap space if they part ways. They're only locked into a 3 million pro-rated signing bonus, and about 3 million base salary

1:03in 2026. Overall, it's viewed as a low-risk rotational upgrade, PFF calls it average, while some give it a B minus setting the Colts' up to evaluate year by year. Without major commitment.