The NFL free agency negotiating period began on Monday, March 11th at noon, and the Indianapolis Colts wasted no time locking in former Albany State Golden Ram and 2017 4th-round draft pick Grover Stewart.
The Colts Wire platform by USA Today referred to Stewart as a “priority in-house free agent,” calling the three-year deal, $39 million deal “a vital contract for (General Manager) Chris Ballard to get done this offseason.
Since being drafted by the Colts with the 144th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Stewart has amassed 280 tackles, nine sacks, 35 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble.
In 2019, Stewart had 30 total tackles (five for a loss) with 3.0 sacks, five quarterback hits, and one pass defended, establishing himself as one of the top up-and-coming interior defenders in the league. He carried that momentum into the 2020 season where he earned a 3-year, $30 million contract extension to stay with the Indianapolis Colts.
His real value might have been best displayed by his absence in 2023 when he was suspended for six games during the regular season. Kevin Hickey of Colts Wire says “The suspension may have helped his stock in terms of getting a new contract.”
During the six-game stretch without Grover Stewart, the Colts allowed 153 rushing yards per game. In the 11 games he played in, that number dropped to 107.9 rushing yards per game allowed.
The 30-year-old affectionately known as “Big Grove” is known as an elite NFL run-stopper who came into the 2024 NFL free agency period ranked 58th on Pro Football Talk’s top 100 free agents.
In December of 2016, Stewart received his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Albany State. On the field, Grover Stewart was named first-team SIAC All-Conference for all four years. During his senior season, Stewart recorded 37 tackles (26 solos), 12 tackles for a loss of 61 yards, and 7.5 sacks.
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