INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts didn’t reach far to retool their defense.
The team is hiring Lou Anarumo as its new defensive coordinator, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. He replaces Gus Bradley, who wasn’t retained at the end of last season.
The only thing separating Anarumo, 58, from his new job is a 90-minute drive up I-74. He was the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator from 2019-2024.
The Colts went with Anarumo after an interview process that included meetings with Wink Martindale, Steve Wilks, Dennis Allen and Ephram Banda.
A source with knowledge of the situation said the Colts were hopeful to fill the coordinator’s position early this week and that’s the case.
General manager Chris Ballard admitted he failed to provide Bradley with sufficient talent over the past three seasons, specifically in the secondary, but added an overall change in approach was necessary. The Colts’ defense, he noted, must be more aggressive moving forward.
“I definitely think there is value in that,’’ Ballard said. “You have to be able to affect the quarterback.’’
Bradley often was criticized for lacking creativity, but that shouldn’t be the case with his successor.
Anarumo’s reputation revolves around adapting on a weekly basis depending on the upcoming quarterback.
His star was brightest in 2021-22 when the Bengals emerged as one of the NFL’s powers. Cincinnati reached Super Bowl LVI following the ’21 season, where it dropped a 23-20 decision to the Los Angeles Rams. Anarumo’s defense was a modest 18th overall, but was No. 5 against the run (102.5 yards per game allowed) and No. 17 in fewest points (22.1).
In ’22, the Bengals reached the AFC Championship game only to fall short – 23-20 – to the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium. Anarumo’s defense was No. 16 in yards allowed (335.7), but No. 7 against the run (106.6) and tied-5th in scoring (20.1).
The Bengals have missed the playoffs the last two seasons, and did so in 2024 despite the offensive firepower provided by quarterback Joe Burrow and wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
The past two years, Anarumo’s defense slipped to No. 25 in total yards (348.3) and tied-No. 26 in points (25.5) in ’24 and No. 31 in yards (374.6) and No. 21 in points (22.6) in ’23.
His defense has featured one of the NFL’s premier pass-rush threats. Trey Hendrickson led the league in sacks last season with 17.5, and was tied for No. 2 in ’23 with 17.5. He also led the Bengals with 8 sacks in ’22.
During Anarumo’s six seasons as coordinator, the Bengals defense ranked No. 27 in yards allowed (365.1), No. 25 against the run (125.9), No. 27 against the pass (239.2) and No. 20 in scoring (23.8).
The Colts defense in 2024 ranked in the bottom third of the league in most consequential categories: No. 29 in yards (361.2), No. 24 against the run (131.8), No. 26 against the pass (229.4) and No. 24 in scoring (25.1).
The defense should endure only a few personnel changes, unless Anarumo believes otherwise.
Pending free agents include starting free safety Julian Blackmon, starting weakside linebacker E.J. Speed and Dayo Odeyingbo, a valued rotational piece on the line.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.
