Indianapolis Colts Offseason Progress Report
Who will win the Quarterback Competition, and in the end, does it even matter?
Overview
2024 Record: 8-9
General Manager: Chris Ballard
Head Coach: Shane Steichen
Starting Quarterback: Daniel Jones
Key Extensions:
OT Braden Smith (1 year, 8 million, no guarantees)
Key Additions:
QB Daniel Jones, CB Charvarius Ward, S Cam Bynum, TE Tyler Warren, EDGE JT Tuimoloau, CB Justin Walley, QB Riley Leonard, K Spencer Shrader
Key Departures:
iOL Ryan Kelly, iOL Will Fries, EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo, LB EJ Speed, K Matt Gay
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Jim Bob Cooter (Shane Steichen calls plays)
2024 Ranks:
EPA/play: 23rd Success Rate: 28th PPG: 17th (22.2ppg)
Projected Starting Offense (11 personnel):
QB Daniel Jones
RB Jonathan Taylor
WR Alec Pierce
WR Michael Pittman Jr.
WR Josh Downs
TE Tyler Warren
LT Bernhard Raimann
LG Quenton Nelson
C Tanor Bortolini
RG Matt Gonclaves
RT Braden Smith
Offense Notes:
Coming off a rocky rookie season, Anthony Richardson entered 2024 with high expectations. Unfortunately, those expectations weren't fulfilled, and the Colts offense performed quite poorly. In all of Shane Steichen's years working with QBs, this may have been his worst result. It was so underwhelming that Richardson's starting spot will be in question during training camp.
Daniel Jones has been brought in as competition - that's where we're at with the Colts offense. Other than Jones, there haven't been many immediate offensive additions outside of first round pick Tyler Warren. How the team goes in 2025 will likely come down to who wins the quarterback battle, and if that winner can improve their game. Can Steichen work another miracle?
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Lou Anarumo
2024 Ranks:
EPA/play: 12th Success Rate: 9th PPG: 24th (25.1ppg allowed)
Projected Starting Defense (Base 4-2):
DE Kwity Paye
DT Grover Stewart
DT DeForest Buckner
DE Laiatu Latu
LB Jaylon Carlies
LB Zaire Franklin
CB Jaylon Jones
CB Charvarius Ward
NB Kenny Moore II
S Cam Bynum
S Nick Cross
Defense Notes:
The defensive unit for the Colts started off quite well. After the team earned a 4-3 record through Week 7, however, things started to slip. After that point, the Colts didn't allow less than 21 points in a game, and allowed 24 or more points in seven of the remaining ten games. All of this led to the eventual dismissal of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
In Bradley's place is former Bengals defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo. Anarumo helped lead a Bengals team to the Super Bowl a few years ago; the Colts are hoping he can ignite their unit in the same way. Indy has also done a good job of improving the starting unit, patching the poor secondary with strong free agent additions. This defense can be a sneaky good unit in 2025.
Outlook
Overall, Indy is somewhat stuck in limbo. Expectations for 2024 were deservingly high after going 9-8 in 2023 with Gardner Minshew at quarterback. Anthony Richardson not taking the leap has brought in doubt, and now the expectations for the future are up in the air.
I like what the team has done in free agency, completing a strong starting group on the defense. On the other side of the ball, however, the Colts lose two starters on the offensive line, and make their largest acquisition a first round tight end. The quarterbacks on the roster already have trouble distributing the ball to the weapons, so how much of a difference can Warren make?
If the play from Richardson/Jones is at least league-average, this team should be able to complete. Houston is likely the established favorite to win the AFC South, but Indianapolis should be able to make some noise. An improved defense should at least have the Colts in the race for a Wild Card spot. Anything less might spell the end of both Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen.
Expectation/Goal for 2025: Compete for AFC South, AFC Wild Card spot
2025 Schedule
Primetime games are BOLDED, all times EDT/EST
*Week 10 game vs. Atlanta is in Berlin*