INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2022 Record - 4-12-1
Head Coach - Shane Steichen
Offensive Rank - 27th (312 YPG); Scoring - 30th (17.0 PPG)
Defensive Rank - 15th (334 YPG); Scoring - 28th (25.1 PPG)
The Colts will look to veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew to start at quarterback as top rookie draft pick Anthony Richardson (Florida) learns the system in training camp. Minshew passed for 663 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions with Philadelphia last season. Running back Jonathan Taylor rushed for 861 yards last year with four touchdowns and a 4.5 YPC average, but he is holding out in training camp and the team signed Kenyan Drake, who went for 482 yards (4.4 YPC) and four scores last season with Baltimore. Zack Moss (365, 4.8, one TD) and Deon Jackson (236, 3.5, one TD and 30 receptions for 209 yards, one TD) are also available. The wide receivers include Michael Pittman, Jr., who led Indy with 99 receptions last year for 925 yards and four touchdowns. Alec Pierce (41, 5923, two TD), Isaiah McKenzie and rookie Josh Downs (North Carolina) will be in the mix and tight ends Mo Alie-Cox and Jelani Woods as well.
The defense features defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (eight QB sacks) up front along with Samson Ebukam at defensive end. Rookie Adetomiwa Adebawore (Northwestern) and Grover Stewart are available up front as well. The linebacking unit has Shaquille Leonard and Zaire Franklin, who led the Colts with 167 tackles last year. Safety Rodney Thomas (four interceptions) leads the secondary along with Kenny Moore II and perhaps rookie JuJu Brents (Kansas State) at the corners.
OUTLOOK FOR 2023 - It's been a tumultuous off-season for the Colts with Taylor's situation and the team unwilling (for now) to trade him, so the offense will be undergoing a transition not only there but at quarterback as Minshew will be the team's fourth different starter since the 2020 season.
The new Head Coach for 2023 is Shane Steichen and he will oversee the changes on both sides of the football, including the defense where at least four different starters left for other teams and will have to be replaced. The Colts faded fast a year ago, losing their final seven games, after some successful seasons recently (including two playoff appearances) and will likely battle the Houston Texans for third place in the AFC South division. When Richardson is ready to start at quarterback, it will be another new era for the team as they look to build toward a better future.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Jacksonville
Week Two - at Houston
Week Three - at Baltimore
Week Four - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Five - vs. Tennessee
Week Six - at Jacksonville
Week Seven - vs. Cleveland
Week Eight - vs. New Orleans
Week Nine - at Carolina
Week Ten - at New England (Frankfurt, Germany)
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Thirteen - at Tennessee
Week Fourteen - at Cincinnati
Week Fifteen - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Sixteen - at Atlanta
Week Seventeen - vs. Las Vegas
Week Eighteen - vs. Houston
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