By signing free agents linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt last week, the Colts brought two more players with already well-established relationships with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Davis-Gaither was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and went on to play for the Bengals – and under Anarumo – for five seasons before playing for the Arizona Cardinals in 2025. Taylor-Britt, who was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, also played under Anarumo in Cincinnati until 2024, when Anarumo was hired by the Colts; Taylor-Britt and Davis-Gaither, of course, also overlapped as members of the Bengals.
"I built up a great relationship with Lou when I spent time with him in Cincinnati," Davis-Gaither said. "I have a relationship with him, I trust him, I trust his system, I trust in his ability to call a good defense. So I mean, it made it easy to want to be here, play under his play calling. And then just the organization, the owners have a great history. Heard a lot of great things about the organization from former players and current players. It was a no-brainer."
"Man, that's my dog," Taylor-Britt said of Anarumo. "That's all I really say, man. I think that's one of the big reasons that I'm here. Man, we had a great relationship while I was attending the Bengals when they drafted me, and it's kind of been great ever since then. When he gave me a call and had me come up, I was very excited man. Can't wait for this opportunity."
In his four seasons with the Bengals (2022-25), Taylor-Britt appeared in 47 games (40 starts) and totaled 38 passes defensed (seven interceptions, 31 pass breakups) as well as two pick-sixes, alongside 203 tackles. Davis-Gaither occupied more of a depth role for the Bengals, appearing in 88 games (24 starts) and recording 204 tackles, two interceptions, 11 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three quarterback hits. He said he often came in as a third linebacker, able to slot in wherever Anarumo needed him.
"I would come in as the third linebacker in Cincinnati and play that nickel spot," Davis-Gaither said. "Him being able to move me around wherever, but if (Germaine) Pratt or Logan (Wilson) would have went down, I mean I was interchangeable."
With the Colts, Davis-Gaither sees an opportunity to reunite with his former coach as well as compete for a significant role on defense as the Colts currently have two returning linebackers on their roster in Austin Ajiake and Jaylon Carlies.
"The room is wide open," he said. "So, I mean it's one of the reasons why I'm here, to compete to start and be on the field...I'm just here to come earn my spot on this team and do it that way."
Davis-Gaither is also coming off his most productive NFL season yet, appearing in all 17 games and starting in 13 of them for the Cardinals. The 6-foot-2, 238-pound linebacker set career-highs of 117 tackles and five passes defensed and, most importantly, gained experience and perspective. With six years of NFL experience, Davis-Gaither is currently the most veteran linebacker on the Colts' roster.
"Being able to start for the majority of the season, I gained a lot of experience, whether it was good or bad," he said. "You're able to learn from a different perspective, the preparation it takes to prepare your body, prepare your mind for each game, each week, each practice. You really learn a different part of the game from a starter's point of view."
As for Taylor-Britt, he will be joining a very talented cornerback room alongside Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward Sr. and Kenny Moore II with the goal of being that "missing piece" for the Colts' secondary.
"(Anarumo) knows my kind of game play and how tough that – he loves his corners (who) like to come up and hit, play man-to-man, come down and just play grimy football," Taylor-Britt said. "And I think that's kind of the way that I succeeded."
