The Indianapolis Colts signed defensive end Trent Cole, the team announced Tuesday, a deal first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Trent Cole signs with Colts
The former Eagle is headed to Indianapolis to bolster the Colts’ pass rush.
Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports
Cole was released by the Philadelphia Eagles after the two sides failed to come to an agreement on a restructured contract. Cole initially stated that he'd do whatever it takes to return to the Eagles next season, but the two sides couldn't come together on a deal. Cole was set to have a cap number of $11.6 million in 2015.
That was simply too much to pay for a guy whose best years are seemingly behind him. But Cole still has plenty of production left in him. He finished the 2014 season with 52 tackles, 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. It was a middling year by his standards, and he hasn’t broken into double-digit sacks since he had 11 of them in 2011.
Cole can still be an effective pass rusher, even if he’s entering his 11th season in the league. Cole was a fifth-round pick by the Eagles in 2005 and spent his entire career with the team. He’s also been remarkably healthy for much of his career, playing a full 16-game season six times and never missing more than two games in any one season.
While the Colts finished with 40 sacks in 2014, Jonathan Newsome was the team's leading pass rusher with 6.5. A premier pass rusher like Cole could help push the team over the top defensively if he's able to replicate some of the production he has had during his career.
Over the course of his career, Cole has totaled 569 combined tackles, 85.5 sacks, 19 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, an interception and 17 pass breakups. He was named to the 2007 and 2009 Pro Bowls, and was a second-team All-Pro in 2009.
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