athlonsports.com

Indianapolis Colts 2025 NFL Season Preview

[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 NFL Preview Magazine. Order your copy today online or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]

Another playoff absence after a December fade has Colts fans understandably pessimistic about the team’s prospects. The Colts haven’t made the playoffs since the 2020 season, and their last postseason victory came in the 2018 season.

That general manager Chris Ballard has survived the disappointing stretch is a surprise, considering the high expectations for the franchise from owner Jim Irsay, who passed away in May. Ballard spent money to add quality free agents, especially in the secondary, an area of constant scrutiny for several years.

Anything short of a playoff berth should spell the end of Ballard’s tenure, but that’s been said repeatedly in recent years. Can quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. deliver on his potential to revamp an offense that’s too reliant on running back Jonathan Taylor? And can a defense that failed to get key stops in crucial games rebound to give the Colts a legitimate shot at the playoffs? It’s fair to say several jobs should be riding on this season.

More NFL team previews

AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots

AFC North:Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers

AFC South:Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans

AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders

NFC East:Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants

NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings

NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints

NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks

Offense

Richardson was benched at one point in his second season after not satisfying expectations for how to prepare as a franchise quarterback. That’s not exactly encouraging, although Richardson’s arm strength and running ability provide hope that if he can improve his passing efficiency, the offense will be better. Veteran passer Daniel Jones will push him, but to be honest, the Colts expect Richardson to be their guy. The No. 4 overall draft pick in 2023 has to deliver stronger numbers than a career 50.6% completion rate and 11 passing touchdowns versus 13 interceptions. He does have 10 rushing scores to his credit.

Richardson must fight off injury history and Daniel Jones to win the starting QB job.

Taylor, the 2021 rushing champion, returns after his second Pro Bowl nod and will be the key component in taking pressure off Richardson. The sixth-year pro ran for 1,431 yards last season, the second-highest total of his career, with 11 TDs. The Colts had to tinker on the offensive line after losing two starters, which means second-year pros Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves must be solid at center and right guard, respectively. The Colts are hoping right tackle Braden Smith can return to elite form after missing the last five games for mental health reasons. The Colts drafted right tackle Jalen Travis in the fourth round as a contingency if Smith is unable to play consistently.

Rookie tight end Tyler Warren provides the passing game with a valuable weapon who can stretch the field and make an immediate impact. Colts wide receivers have often struggled to provide enough production, so Warren could be vital to giving pass-catchers more opportunities and getting his share of targets to make plays. No. 1 wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. returns after being slowed by a back injury that didn’t require surgery. Slot receiver Josh Downs missed three games due to ankle and shoulder injuries but had better numbers in his second season and should be a focal point. Alec Pierce emerged as a deep threat with a penchant for winning one-on-one battles. The 2022 second-round pick had just 37 catches, but he averaged 22.3 yards per reception.

Defense

New coordinator Lou Anarumo takes over for Gus Bradley with an emphasis on aggressiveness. The Colts ranked 24th in scoring defense at 25.1 points per game and 29th in total defense at 361.2 yards per game. The pass rush was non-existent in key games, which exposed an often-overwhelmed secondary.

That secondary received some big upgrades, though, including cornerback Charvarius Ward, who signed a three-year, $54-million contract with $35 million guaranteed to provide the secondary with its best cover man in several seasons. Fellow corners Corey Ballentine and rookie Justin Walley are expected to boost the back line as well. Another key addition: safety Cam Bynum, who signed a four-year, $60 million deal with half of it guaranteed.

DeForest Buckner

The Colts have talent on a defensive line anchored by DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, but the pass-rush performance must produce higher numbers than 36 sacks, which tied for 25th. Buckner (6.5 sacks) draws the most double-teams and can’t be a one-man pass rush. Samson Ebukam missed last season with a torn Achilles after posting a career-best 9.5 sacks in 2023. How quickly he can return to form will be key, but the Colts picked up the option on edge rusher Kwity Paye, a 2021 first-round pick with 26.5 sacks in four seasons. There are also capable youngsters on hand in second-year edge rusher Laiatu Latu and end JT Tuimoloau, a 2025 second-round pick. They should get their share of pass-rush snaps, especially if Ebukam needs time to build stamina.

Linebacker Zaire Franklin has 352 tackles with five sacks, seven forced fumbles and two interceptions across the past two seasons. Again, the Colts need more than one linebacker to make game-changing plays.

The Colts tied for fifth in the league with 16 interceptions, which suggests the secondary wasn’t bereft of talent. But this is also a unit that ranked 26th in passing yards allowed per game — hence Ballard’s spending on Ward, Ballentine and Bynum. It’s easy to say that defense starts up front, but if Anarumo’s scheme is to succeed, both areas have to make more key plays and get off the field.

Specialists

The release of placekicker Matt Gay raised eyebrows, considering he was the NFL’s highest-paid player at his position when he joined the Colts in 2023, but he made just 82% of his kicks across two seasons. The Colts took a $4 million dead cap hit and opted to go with second-year pro Spencer Shrader, who made all five of his field goals and nine extra points last season as a rookie with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs. Admittedly, it’s a small sample size for an important position, but money not spent on an ineffective kicker could be put to use elsewhere. Punter Rigoberto Sanchez has been a model of consistency in eight seasons and has a strong leg for kickoffs. One-time Pro Bowl long-snapper Luke Rhodes became the highest-paid player at his position in 2023 and continues to excel. Second-year wide receiver Anthony Gould had just 17 total returns as a rookie, but he has the speed to make an impact on kickoff and punt returns.

Final Analysis

Richardson is only 23 entering his third season, so optimists see room for the kind of growth the Colts need. But the clock is ticking. It’s doubtful the Colts have enough pieces to make the playoffs if they don’t get quality quarterback play, which means not missing on the routine sideline throws or making poor choices when it’s imperative to move the chains.

The Colts have gone 17-17 during the Richardson era, so there’s reason to be wary about whether this team can finally break through and make some noise in January. The time for giving the benefit of the doubt to Ballard, Richardson and the Colts has passed. If 2025 doesn’t provide the desired results, expect some sweeping changes in the front office and at the most important position. Irsay has been more patient than in the past because the prospect of an overhaul seemed daunting. But the results speak for themselves. No more excuses.