INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2025 Record - 8-9-0
Head Coach - Shane Steichen
2025 Offensive Rank - 346 YPG (9th); Rushing - 118 YPG (17th), Passing - 228 YPG (9th) SCORING - 27.4 PPG (8th)
2025 Defensive Rank - 350 YPG (23rd); Rushing - 102 YPG (7th), Passing - 248 YPG (30th) SCORING - 24.2 PPG (20th)
Key Player Additions - Arden Key (DL), Colby Wooden (DL), Akeem Davis-Gaither (LB), Derrick Nnadi (DL), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR), Cam Taylor-Britt (DB)
Key Player Losses - Zaire Franklin (LB), Nick Cross (DB), Kwity Taye (DL), Michael Pittman, Jr. (WR), Kenny Moore (DB), Neville Gallimore (DL), Braden Smith (OL), Germaine Pratt (LB)
OFFENSE - The Colts will have Daniel Jones back at quarterback and he passed for 3,101 yards last year (in 13 games) with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions before suffering season ending leg and Achilles injuries. Backup QB Anthony Richardson may or may not be on the roster when the season starts. The running back position is anchored by Jonathan Taylor and went for 1,585 yards and scored 20 touchdowns (18 rushing) last year while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. The wide receivers include Alec Pierce, who opened training camp on the injury list after off-season ankle surgery. Pierce had 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. Also in the mix are Josh Downs (58, 566, four TD), Ashton Dulin and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. The tight ends are Tyler Warren, who had 76 receptions for 817 yards and four scores in his rookie year, and veteran Mo Alie-Cox.
DEFENSE - Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner (four QB sacks last year) looks to be ready to go as training camp opens following neck surgery and he is is big part of the front seven. Grover Stewart is another tackle and the ends are Laiatu Latu (8 1/2 sacks, three interceptions) and Arden Key. Adetomiwa Adebawore (four sacks), Derrick Nnadi and Colby Wooden will also be available on the line. Akeem Davis-Gaither comes over from Arizona to play linebacker alongside Jaylon Carlies and rookie CJ Allen (Georgia) as well as Austin Ajiake. The secondary has safeties A.J. Haulcy and Camryn Bynum (four INT) as well as cornerbacks Sauce Gardner, Mekhi Blackmon (two picks) and veteran Charvarius Ward, who only played in seven games last season due to concussion issues.
2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - It was definitely an up and down season for Indianapolis in 2025 as they started very strong (7-1) and then fell apart due to numerous injuries, most notably QB Daniel Jones as they went 1-8 to finish under the .500 mark. Shane Steichen is entering his fourth year as Indy head coach and is looking to guide the team to a playoff appearance for the first time in six years. If Jones can play like he was last season before the injuries, the Colts could indeed be in business as they averaged 34.7 points per game in the hot start. The offense has a good mix with Taylor leading the running attack and the line provided good protection for the quarterbacks, only allowing 29 sacks last year.
The defense was terrible against the pass, ranking 30th overall and was torched for big plays throughout the season. The run defense, led by Buckner and company up front, was solid against the run, finishing in the top ten in the NFL in that area. More pressure on opposing quarterbacks could go a long way to helping out the secondary, which had just 14 interceptions. As many as eight new names are on the roster on defense in 2026 and 16 defensive players are gone from a year ago. So if things can mesh with the many new faces on defense in 2026, the Colts may be well improved.
Whether or not this team can contend for an AFC playoff spot is questionable, but they showed what they can do with everyone healthy. The key will be doing well in divisional games as Jacksonville and Houston both were playoff teams last season. The first three games are against strong opponents and then the game in London, England in Week Four against Washington happens and that will test the Colts. Consistency on defense and keeping their top players on offense on the field will go a long way toward success this year. The playoffs are questionable, but not impossible.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Baltimore
Week Two - at Kansas City
Week Three - vs. Houston
Week Four - vs. Washington (London, England)
Week Five - at Pittsburgh
Week Six - vs. Tennessee
Week Seven - at Minnesota
Week Eight - at Jacksonville
Week Nine - vs. Dallas
Week Ten - vs. Miami
Week Eleven - at Houston
Week Twelve - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Thirteen - BYE
Week Fourteen - at Philadelphia
Week Fifteen - at Tennessee
Week Sixteen - vs. Cincinnati
Week Seventeen - at Cleveland
Week Eighteen - vs. Jacksonville
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