According to SI.com’s Albert Breer, Indianapolis Colts veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo could have his best starting safety duo since his former 2021 Cincinnati Bengals defense made a surprising Super Bowl appearance:
Specifically, that AFC Championship title season, Anarumo’s 17th ranked defense got hot in their deep playoff run, as they were anchored by the pairing of starting safeties Pro Bowler Jessie Bates III and Von Bell in the backend of their much improved secondary. However, the Bengals pass coverage only allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete a league-low 58.9% completion rate all of that impressive defensive campaign.
The Bengals defense allowed just 20.5 points per game during that strong playoff stretch, and in the second half of their 4 playoff games, they surrendered just 34 total points collectively.
After signing a 4-year, $60 million contract with the Colts during the 2025 offseason, the 27-year-old Bynum was rock solid at starting free safety in his debut year for Indianapolis. He recorded 81 tackles (50 solo), 3 tackles for loss, a sack, 8 passes defensed, 4 interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during all 17 starts. Per PFF, Bynum earned a +70.8 overall grade this past season.
Meanwhile, the Colts selected former LSU First-Team All-SEC safety AJ Haulcy in the 3rd round of this past late April’s NFL Draft, and he currently projects as an immediate impact rookie starter alongside Bynum. Namely, Bynum has the ability to play both as an in-the-box enforcer against the run, and a ballhawk in pass coverage.
Obviously, there’s some projection by Breer here, as Haulcy has yet to play a meaningful NFL snap yet, but the Colts can reasonably expect another solid season by his safety counterpart, Bynum, given his recent durability and overall production.
The Colts have high hopes for Haulcy too, as he’s already impressed early on in the offseason.
