Colts Not Planning To Trade DT Adetomiwa Adebawore

Adebawore joined the Colts as a fourth-round pick in 2023, but the former Northwestern Wildcat didn’t see much action on defense during his first two seasons. He combined for just 268 defensive snaps during that 26-game span, but the number skyrocketed to 548 last year. While playing all 17 games and making seven starts, the 6-foot-2, 282-pounder set career highs in tackles (36), quarterback hits (six), tackles for loss (five) and sacks (four).

Although Adebawore’s defensive snap share has fallen from 51% to 36% this season, he has already matched his 2025 sack total and logged a personal-best eight QB hits. With 17 tackles and three TFL in seven games, the 25-year-old is also on track to establish new highs in those categories. What’s more, Adebawore ranks as Pro Football Focus’ fourth-best defensive tackle out of 126 qualifiers.

Adebawore has only made one start this year, but the trade of fellow D-tackle Buckner, who was on the field for 82% of defensive snaps during the Colts’ 2-5 start, will open up more playing time.

“Now, I’ve got an opportunity to go play a little more,” Adebawore said (via Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star). “I hope I take advantage of it.”

If he does, Adebawore would make an even stronger case for a lucrative second contract with the Colts or a nice payday in free agency. But if the Colts are indeed unwilling to trade Adebawore in the next couple of weeks, it may be a surprise if he even reaches the open market in Mach. He looks like a prime candidate to ink an extension with Indianapolis between now and then.