The Indianapolis Colts have been pretty active in free agency this offseason, but their two biggest moves have seen them re-sign quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Alec Pierce to big-money deals. While injuries decimated the Colts down the stretch of the 2025 season, they have also been looking for new faces to bring to town ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Obviously, the 2026 NFL Draft will provide the team with an avenue to accomplish that goal, but Indy’s front office is still hard at work when it comes to adding players in free agency. Their latest move, though, might be their most surprising of the offseason, as they have found a way to lure former Los Angeles Chargers starting safety Nasir Adderley out of retirement.
Nasir Adderley Unretires, Signs with the Colts in Free Agency
Adderley was selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Chargers, as the team envisioned being able to pair him up with star safety Derwin James Jr. After playing sparingly as a rookie, Adderley earned a starting gig on defense in 2020, and he ended up holding down a key role in the team’s secondary for the next three years.
After the 2022 campaign, Adderley seemed set for a nice payday, as his rookie contract was up. Instead, he shockingly decided to retire at just 25 years old. According to the man himself, Adderley wanted to protect his long-term health and spend more time with his daughter, but that didn’t make his decision any less surprising.
For the past three years, Adderley has been enjoying his retirement, but it looks like he isn’t done with football just yet. Adderley appears intent on making a comeback in the NFL, as he has signed with the Colts in free agency, over three years after he was set to initially hit the open market back in 2023.
“We have signed free agent S Nasir Adderley,” the Colts announced in a post on X.
Colts Take Intriguing Flier on Nasir Adderley
GettyThe Colts have signed former Chargers safety Nasir Adderley in free agency
Adderley’s best season in the NFL was his most recent one in 2022, as he racked up 62 tackles, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 16 games of action. And yet, nobody really knows where Adderley stands when it comes to his ability to immediately contribute for Indianapolis. Adderley is set to turn only 29 years old in May, so while he still is in his physical prime, three years is a long time to go without playing football.
Right now, Juanyeh Thomas and Cam Bynum are the Colts’ top safety duo, and it doesn’t seem like Adderley is going to immediately crack the starting lineup. However, he has starting experience, which makes him a solid depth option worth bringing off the bench and using in specific situations. There’s no guarantee that Adderley will even make the roster, but given how long he’s been away from the NFL, that makes his comeback story one worth keeping tabs on.
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