Daniel Jones
Getty
Indianapolis Colts QB Daniel Jones
The biggest question for the Indianapolis Colts was who would be the starting quarterback in week 1. Head Colts Shane Steichen announced that Daniel Jones will be behind center at the beginning of the regular season.
The success of Indianapolis relies on the quarterback, either Jones or backup Anthony Richardson.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano made a bold prediction for the Colts ahead of the new regular season, saying not to be surprised if the Colts win the division.
“If Jones can stay healthy and play the way he did for the [New York] Giants in their surprise 2022 playoff season, the Colts believe they can build a representative offense behind running back Jonathan Taylor, a strong offensive line and rookie tight end Tyler Warren (who they believe can be a star right away),” Graziano wrote. “The defense added some key pieces, not the least of which is former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, and Indy should be a lot better on that side of the ball than most think.”
In the 2022 season, Daniel Jones threw for 3,205 yards and 15 touchdowns. Jones was a mobile option for the Giants, rushing for 708 yards and 5 rushing touchdowns.
In his first postseason, the former Duke Blue Devil threw 436 yards and 2 touchdowns, while having 102 rushing yards.
The current favorites to win the AFC South are the Houston Texans, who have won the division for the last two years.
Pressure Entering Next Season
Colts Roster Moves Jack Wilson Josh Tupou
GettyColts head coach Shane Steichen.
The Indianapolis Colts are heading into their third year with Shane Steichen as the head coach of the organization.
Steichen went 9-8 in his first season and 8-9 in his second, giving a 0.500 overall record as a head coach.
Now Steichen finds himself in the hot seat with the Colts to succeed and could be out of a head coaching job if things don’t go positive.
“No team in the AFC South has gone longer without winning it than the Colts… With that kind of drought and the team under somewhat new ownership (the late Jim Irsay’s daughter Carlie Irsay-Gordon is the team’s new CEO), there’s a lot of pressure on the coaching staff and front office to deliver — and soon,” Graziano wrote for ESPN.
The Colts are the only team in the current AFC South to have won a Super Bowl.
Additions To The Defense
Charvarius Ward
GettyIndianapolis Colts CB Charvarius Ward
The Indianapolis Colts are set on offense all around, with the last question (quarterback) being answered.
Indy signed Charvarius Ward to a three-year deal to match up against opposing teams’ primary receivers. The team also signed former two-time All-Pro Xavien Howard to reinforce the cornerback room after the Colts saw multiple injuries in the position group.
The Colts signed Camryn Bynum to a four-year, $60 million deal to help set the defense.
All these additions, paired with a new defensive coordinator, could help the Colts’ defense with a new scheme.
Outside of the Texans, the rest of the division is unclear on who will finish where. If the Colts can win some games with Daniel Jones at QB, they can find themself atop the division.