INDIANAPOLIS – Joe Bachie’s cell phone sprang to life in early May. Opportunity was calling.
First and foremost, it was an opportunity to extend and perhaps expand his NFL career. Bachie had spent four of his five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals but was an unrestricted free agent.
“I had something else lined up,’’ he said Thursday afternoon.
Then, the call in early May.
It was from Lou Anarumo and James Bettcher. Anarumo was Bachie’s coordinator with the Bengals, who had transitioned to the same role with the Indianapolis Colts. Bettcher was Cincy’s linebackers coach from 2022-24 and is now part of Anarumo’s staff.
They were looking to add to a ‘backers room light on experience behind cornerstone Zaire Franklin. The Colts also failed to add a linebacker from the April draft despite losing E.J. Speed and Grant Stuard in free agency.
Anarumo and Bettcher looked to a trusted veteran, and their pitch found receptive ears. Bachie told Anarumo of the other opportunity he was considering.
“He said, ‘OK, we’ll get you here before you go there,’’’ Bachie said with a smile. “I was here two days later.’’
He missed the early portion of the Colts’ offseason work, but quickly got up to speed in a defense he already knew so well.
This opportunity, though, came with extra motivation.
For five seasons, Bachie’s role has been as a special teams standout who sometimes was allowed to dabble at linebacker. In 51 career games with the Bengals and New Orleans Saints, he started only twice, both times in 2021 when Logan Wilson was out with an injury.
He has been on the field for 874 special teams snaps and 238 defensive snaps, and 137 of those defensive snaps came during a four-game stretch in ’21 that included his two starts.
“He played some really meaningful snaps for us in Cincinnati, and we won some games with him operating . . . not only as just a guy, but as the green dot when Logan Wilson got hurt and Joe stepped in,’’ Anarumo said. “So, I have the utmost confidence in Joe. He’s a worker. He’s a great guy.’’
Anarumo offered Bachie the possibility of returning to his roots. He was a prolific linebacker at Michigan State: 285 tackles, including 27.5 for a loss, 8 sacks, five interceptions, 16 passes defensed. He was first-team All-Big Ten as a junior.
“I’ve always been a defensive guy,’’ said Bachie, who signed with the Saints as an undrafted rookie in 2020. “Never really played special teams until I got in the NFL. I had to make a living out of something and (special teams) was my role. I’m going to do whatever the team asks. If I have to play special teams here, that’s what I’m going to do. That’s been me through my journey in the NFL. But I know I can play linebacker here. I was a damn good linebacker in college and I can still be a damn good linebacker.’’
With Franklin being held out of the preseason games while fully recovering from offseason ankle surgery, Bachie started at Baltimore and against Green Bay alongside Lawrence Central H.S. product Cameron McGrone. He provided a highlight against the Ravens with an interception.
The opportunity to be considered in the linebacker mix was instrumental in Bachie reuniting with Anarumo and Bettcher. He signed a one-year, $1.17 million contract in May.
“That was a great reason I came here . . . just to get reps,’’ Bachie said. “Lou said it was a great opportunity when he called me to come over here and just play football. That’s what I was excited about and I was able to get all those reps during the sprint, which was huge for me. Getting the defense, getting around new guys. Those reps meant a lot to me and I’ve been trying to take advantage of them. I just come to work every day and do what I can do on and off the field to get ready to play. It’s all worked out and now we’ve got to get ready for week 1.’’
Anarumo’s scheme often will utilize two linebackers and an extra defensive back. Franklin is a given, but a sidekick must emerge. That should be McGrone, Bachie or Chad Muma, who was claimed off waivers Wednesday.
“We need someone next to Zaire right now,’’ Bachie said. “He’s a great player and we need someone else out there.’’
Captains selected
Team captains were selected in a vote of players, and the top five will wear a “C” on their uniform.
The five: Franklin, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, cornerback Kenny Moore II, guard Quenton Nelson and quarterback Daniel Jones.
Before a vote is conducted, Steichen normally addresses the team.
“I kind of just lay out what a captain looks like,’’ he said. “First year, I had Peyton Manning do a thing for the team about what it means to wear a ‘C’ on your chest. Last year, I had Reggie (Wayne) talk about what it means to be a captain and the honor. And then this year, I just kind of laid out some guidelines of being a great communicator, respect to the football team, being a servant leader, putting the team before yourself, your work ethic. All these things play into that captain role.’’
Practice squad adjusted
The Colts continued to rearrange their practice squad.
The team signed veteran wideout Laquon Treadwell, wide receiver Tyler Scott and safety Ben Nikkel, and released wideout Tyler Kahmann.
They also signed defensive tackle Tim Smith to the practice squad.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.