Former Colts Linebacker Najee Goode Reportedly Signing With Jaguars

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INDIANAPOLIS — A third unrestricted free agent from the Indianapolis Colts’ 2018 team is signing elsewhere.


Veteran linebacker Najee Goode will sign a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo.


Goode, who will be 30 by Week 1 of the 2019 season, signed with the Colts last offseason after spending the previous five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.


A key special teams contributor and quality piece of depth at linebacker, Goode in 2018 appeared in all 16 games and had six tackles (two solo), and picked off New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for his first-career interception. He added one pass defensed and a team-best 10 special teams stops.


Goode’s blocked punt in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Kansas City Chiefs was recovered in the end zone by fellow teammate Zach Pascal for the Colts’ first score of the game.


The Colts will turn to plenty of youth — and talent — at the linebacker position moving forward. The team returns the likes of Darius Leonard, the 2018 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and third-year starter Anthony Walker, as well as Matthew Adams, Zaire Franklin, Skai Moore and Ahmad Thomas.


The team also used three draft picks on linebackers this year: Ben Banogu, Bobby Okereke and EJ Speed.


Goode will be the third unrestricted free agent from the Colts’ 2018 team to sign with another team, and joins wide receiver Ryan Grant (Oakland Raiders) and safety J.J. Wilcox (Atlanta Falcons).