Indianapolis Colts Sign Jabaal Sheard

The Indianapolis Colts have poached productive pass rusher Jabaal Sheard via free agency. The former Patriots outside linebacker and defensive end is headed to Indy. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the story.

Former Patriots LB Jabaal Sheard is signing with the Colts, per @FieldYates and me.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2017

The deal that the former Patriots pass rusher will receive is a  three-year deal worth $25.5 million, which will include $12.75 million guaranteed. Sheard, 27, recorded 5 sacks this past season and 8 in 2015.

He has been a completely different player since being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 2nd round of the 2011 NFL Draft from Pitt. The Colts have also added John Simon to help out the pass rush as they continue to rebuild their defense. The Colts only had 33 sacks as an entire team in 2016. Sheard’s presence will help increase that total.

For New England, after the trade for Kony Ealy, Sheard was unlikely to return. They have likely prioritized re-signing Dont’a Hightower.