D'Qwell Jackson has found a new home.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday the inside linebacker has agreed to a four-year, $22 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts, according to a person who has seen the contract. The deal includes $11 million in guaranteed money.
Colts owner Jim Irsay confirmed the move on Twitter, and the team offically announced the move Thursday afternoon.
Jackson, 30, joins the Colts' defense one week after being released by the Cleveland Browns, his team for the past eight seasons. Jackson drew significant interest across the league, visiting with five teams before choosing the Colts.
Jackson told NFL Media's Jeff Darlington that he chose the Colts because of coach Chuck Pagano. He called Pagano "a great coach and even better person." And a Colts source told Rapoport that Jackson "fit like a glove the minute he walked in the door with everyone in our building."
Jackson is in line to replace inside linebacker Pat Angerer in Indy's starting lineup. Angerer acknowledged earlier this week he had been given a "heads up" he would not be re-signed by the team.
Jackson is an upgrade for the Colts, albeit a surprisingly expensive one. The 34th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, Jackson led the Browns in tackles each of the past three seasons and was universally hailed as a respected team leader. The new Colts linebacker was No. 47 on Around The League's list of the top 101 free agents.
He is reunited in Indianapolis with Rob Chudzinski, who coached the Browns last season and now serves as the special assistant to Pagano.
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