The list of pass rushers in free agency for the Indianapolis Colts continues to shrink as the Kansas City Chiefs are set to place the franchise tag on linebacker Dee Ford.
One of the best free agent pass rushers potentially to hit the market, it was expected that the Chiefs were going to apply the franchise tag to Ford in hopes to reach a long term extension.
It seems that is close to becoming official, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The report also states that the Chiefs are willing to listen to trade offers for Ford and while the Colts might be a potential suitor, the fact that the Chiefs don’t see Ford as a fit for their new 4-3 defense means he probably isn’t a perfect fit for the Colts, who run the same alignment.
Still, the Chiefs and Ford both want to get a long-term deal done before the July 15 deadline. If they don’t, Ford will make $15.4 million for the 2019 season.
Regardless, Ford was one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in 2018. He had 13.0 sacks working mostly from a two-point stance as an outside linebacker. The Colts prefer their edge rushers to work with a hand in the dirt rather than standing up.
The Colts officially have the most salary cap space in the NFL, but the free agent crop for pass rushers continues to get smaller.
