Why Colts LB Akeem Davis-Gaither’s Reunion with Lou Anarumo Spells Trouble for the Giants

With the 2026 NFL schedule release event less than two months away, we’re going to take a look each day at one newcomer on each of the New York Giants’ opponents whose presence could potentially create the biggest headache for Big Blue.

The New York Giants will once again face a daunting schedule, full of teams with ambitions to make the postseason and rosters to back them up.

One of those teams, the Indianapolis Colts, underwent some changes on its defense this offseason.

In a surprise move that caught many people off guard, including Indianapolis Colts fans, the Colts traded away their defensive captain and the heart and soul of the defense, linebacker Zaire Franklin, to Green Bay.

While many believe that would leave a hole in the Colts' defense, the team quickly found a smart, valuable replacement in Akeem Davis-Gaither. Giants fans should note that Davis-Gaither could be highly disruptive in this new role.

Furthermore, not only is Akeem Davis-Gaither looking for a long-term home (which should motivate him to play at his best), but he will also be reunited with his former defensive coordinator in Cincinnati, Lou Anarumo, where he began his breakout in 2024.

Playing for a multi-year contract

The former fourth-round draft pick out of Appalachian State has had to work for everything he's received in the league. When that's your existence, it puts a chip on your shoulder and a goal out in front of you.

He stayed with the Bengals for five seasons before joining the Arizona Cardinals last season. Now, with the Colts, it represents his third team in three years. That is something he doesn't want to continue in 2027.

At 28, Davis-Gaither is seeking a place to spend the next 4-5 years of his career. This motivation is driving him to play his best, fueled by the need to prove he belongs.

Athleticism and football IQ

The Giants will not only have to deal with Davis Gaither's hunger to earn a multi-year contract with the Colts, but also his immense athletic ability, underrated football IQ, and savvy, when they face the Colts later in the season.

He is your prototypical sideline-to-sideline pursuit linebacker who has the speed and the range to get to the ball wherever it is on the field. This will especially be a handful for the Giants as they work to establish a more powerful rushing attack in 2026.

He quickly learns schemes and adds versatility on special teams. Davis-Gaither will take on a leadership role in a defense he already knows.

Reunion with Lou Anarumo

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Davis Gaither started his career with the Cincinnati Bengals and spent that time learning and playing underneath current Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo when he was the defensive coordinator with Cincinnati.

This means that he is not joining a team to learn a brand-new defense; he is joining a team to reacquaint himself with a defense he is extremely familiar with.

He may have had his best statistical season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2025, where he accounted for 117 tackles and 5 pass breakups.

However, his breakout actually came the year before under Anarumo in Cincinnati, where he made 7 starts, recorded 82 tackles, and had 4 pass breakups.

Now the two can pick up where they left off. As Anarumo enters his second season as the Colts' defensive coordinator, he gets a linebacker with whom he's very familiar, who understands his vision and can lead by example.

This will not be easy for the Giants to handle.

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