Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (3) kicks a field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WRTV) — The Colts struggled to find positives in Sunday’s 34-22 road loss to the Steelers, but second-year kicker Spencer Shrader continued to shine.
Shrader matched his career high with five field goals, a mark he first set against Denver in Week 3 last season. He was perfect Sunday, going 5-for-5 and connecting twice from beyond 50 yards.
His accuracy kept Indianapolis within striking distance throughout the game. But the Colts needed to turn more drives into touchdowns instead of settling for field goals.
Though the Colts ultimately fell on the road in Pittsburgh, Shrader takes pride in being someone his team can rely on to put three points on the board.
“Confidence is very important, but courage is more important,” Shrader said. “That’s something I think about before the games. I get feelings of doubt or uncertainty before every game, regardless of how the season is going or how well I’ve been doing. Confidence is good, but courage to go out there and face the circumstances, regardless of the outcome, make or miss, I think is more important. That’s what I tell myself more often. I have confidence in myself and my abilities because I’ve done it before.”
Shrader is now 11-for-11 on field-goal attempts this season, with the second-most makes among NFL kickers. Through Week 5, he’s also made six field goals from 50 yards or more.
His success hasn’t gone unnoticed. Shrader credits team leaders like quarterback Daniel Jones, who makes a point of recognizing him for keeping the Colts in the fight each week.
“I’m so blessed to have the relationship with my teammates that I do,” Shrader said. “I don’t think I could be in a locker room that’s as encouraging or as supportive as these guys. Daniel \[Jones\] makes an effort to come up to me after every single game and talk to me and tell me good job. When the leaders of the team do that, it makes you feel really good. It makes you want to do your job better.”
“I think you need that culture, and we have some really good leaders in this locker room who embrace that,” Shrader added. “Now we’ve just got to keep getting better and figure out how we can support each other more.”
The Colts lost on the road to Pittsburgh on Sunday, but Shrader says the team still has plenty of fight as it looks to bounce back.
“I don’t see any quit,” Shrader said. “I think in this league, with how competitive it is and how games come down to one score at the end, there has to be this fight and this internal belief in you. I don’t see any quit in this team, and I think that’s important moving forward. Regardless of the results on Sunday, you’re going to have to turn a new leaf. I think we have great leaders and good people in this program, but we have to support each other. We have to continue to work to earn that culture.”
The Colts (2-3) next face the Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.