The Indianapolis Colts have signed veteran safety Jonathan Owens. He will compete for playing time after the free-agency departures of Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II.
Owens Brings Experience to Indianapolis
Owens brings experience, having spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Texans, Packers and Bears. He rose to the level of starter in 2022 with Houston and 2023 with Green Bay.
Owens, who turns 31 in July and has the higher profile by virtue of his marriage to Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, was mostly a special teamer in Chicago last season. Owens played 47 snaps defensively and 264 snaps on special teams, making 19 tackles.
His experience means he likely has the acumen to start in a pinch. Thomas played 278 snaps on special teams last season, and Owens was a weapon for Chicago’s kicking game with 15 special-teams tackles.
Thomas Offers Upside at Safety
Indianapolis is also signing young Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas. He will also have a chance to compete for playing time.
Thomas does not bring the same kind of name recognition. A big, powerful safety who measured at 6-foot-1, 212 pounds at the NFL scouting combine in 2023, Thomas made three starts last season in place of former Colts safety Malik Hooker, playing 266 defensive snaps for the Cowboys overall.
Thomas made 26 tackles, playing mostly in the box, but he has enough versatility to play free safety and line up in the slot, skills that could be valuable next to star Indianapolis free safety Camryn Bynum. Bynum’s versatility and ball-hawking ability make him a versatile weapon for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, but he was limited at times last season by Cross’ skill set.
Thomas’s Injury and Mental Health
Indianapolis must first figure out if Thomas is healthy.
Thomas went through one of the toughest stretches of his career in the second half. Thomas was reportedly close with former Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, who took his own life last November, and he told reporters in Dallas that Kneeland’s death stuck with him for the rest of the season.
Then he went through his own injury issues. Thomas’ season ended after only seven games due to a nerve issue that caused debilitating migraines. The Colts likely believe Thomas’ issue will not be ongoing next season.
Competition at Strong Safety
Barring a bigger free-agent signing or a high draft pick, Indianapolis might be gearing up for an open competition to replace Cross at strong safety.
The Colts are high on 2025 seventh-rounder Hunter Wohler, who was headed for a key rotational role before suffering a season-ending Lisfranc injury in the preseason.