INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2024 Record - 8-9-0
Head Coach - Shane Steichen
2024 Offensive Rank - (13th overall) - 335 YPG; Passing - 198 YPG (25th), Rushing - 137 YPG (8th); SCORING - 22.2 PPG (17th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (29th overall) - 361 YPG; Passing - 229 YPG (29th), Rushing - 132 YPG (24th); SCORING - 25.1 PPG (24th)
Key Additions for 2025 - Charvarius Ward (DB), Cam Bynum (DB), Daniel Jones (QB), Khalil Herbert (RB), Tyler Warren (rookie - Penn State)
Key Losses for 2025 - Ryan Kelly (OL), Julian Blackmon (DB), Joe Flacco (QB), E.J. Speed (LB), Taven Bryan (DL), Dayo Odeyingbo (DL)
OFFENSE - The quarterback spot is in a battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones as training camp goes on. Richardson (1,814 passing yards with eight TD and 12 INT along with 499 rushing yards and six TD last year) is entering his third season and has been nursing a hand injury after missing numerous games last year. Jones was released by the New York Giants last season and is trying to win the starting job. The running backs are Jonathan Taylor (1,431 yards, 4.7 YPC and 11 TD), Khalil Herbert and rookie D.J. Giddens (Kansas State). Michael Pittman, Jr. (69 receptions, 808 yards, three TD), Alec Pierce (37, 824, seven TD), Josh Downs (72, 803, five TD) and tight ends Mo Alie-Cox and Tyler Warren (rookie - Penn State) are the primary receivers in the passing game.
DEFENSE - DeForest Buckner (6 1/2 QB sacks), Grover Stewart, Kwity Paye (eight sacks), Laiatu Latu (four sacks) and Samson Ebukam lead the defensive line and the linebackers are Jaylon Carlies and Zaire Franklin, who led the Colts with 173 tackles last year. In the secondary are safeties Nick Cross (three interceptions) and Cam Bynum (96 tackles and three INT with Minnesota) along with corners Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore II (three picks) and Juju Brents. Indianapolis registered 36 sacks and had 16 interceptions last season.
OUTLOOK - The Colts have been a hard team to gauge the past few years and this year could be the same with many new faces on defense as well as the quarterback competition as the 2025 season looms. Head Coach Shane Steichen came on board two years ago as an offensive guru and so far the results have been hit and miss with Richardson as the starting quarterback. This is a big season for both of them and if the team has more struggles, they both could be gone.
The Colts play in the AFC South division and Houston has been the big dog the last two seasons, so if the they want to get back in the fold and make the playoffs for the first time since 2020, a good start and better results in divisional play is needed. Mediocrity in division play and another 4-6 start in 2025 won't get it done. The defense was bad last year, finishing in the bottom third of the NFL in nearly all categories. Along with playing better defense, having a healthy quarterback on the field and keeping running back Jonathan Taylor fresh all season long will help this team be better and perhaps challenge Houston for the division crown. It is doable, but not likely to happen.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Miami
Week Two - vs. Denver
Week Three - at Tennessee
Week Four - at L.A. Rams
Week Five - vs. Las Vegas
Week Six - vs. Arizona
Week Seven - at L.A. Chargers
Week Eight - vs. Tennessee
Week Nine - at Pittsburgh
Week Ten - vs. Atlanta (Berlin, Germany)
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - at Kansas City
Week Thirteen - vs. Houston
Week Fourteen - at Jacksonville
Week Fifteen - at Seattle
Week Sixteen - vs. San Francisco
Week Seventeen - vs. Jacksonville
Week Eighteen - at Houston
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