The Colts are headed into the season with the roster mostly where they want it, even if a few questions still linger around the edges.
Coming out of the draft, the discussion wasn’t about one more move that would push Indianapolis into Super Bowl chatter. It was more basic than that: what would keep this team from taking a step back?
The biggest worry shifted when Pierce got hurt, moving the focus from edge rusher to a proven, dependable wide receiver. Swing tackle was on the list too, along with RB2, and there was real concern about how inexperienced the linebacking group looked.
Training camp answered some of that. McGowan turned heads in practice and carried it into preseason games, while also showing he could help on special teams when needed.
Not everyone loved the choice for the No. 3 running back spot, but Giddens has been in the building for two years and apparently earned more trust than Bentley. The later rookie edge players also flashed enough to look like useful depth or situational pieces, even if the starters on the outside never took the field in front of us.
The pass rush may still be one piece short of truly elite.
Camp also exposed a problem nobody saw coming. The departure of Pinter left the Colts without a center who could actually handle the snap, and that showed up fast.
Plenty of players tried. None looked good doing it.
It got so obvious that the team had to make a small move to bring in an experienced backup. For an offensive line that rarely makes it through a season untouched, that at least offers some peace of mind - even without seeing him take a snap.
The final preseason stretch brought the veteran receiver addition the team wanted, but the shine came off that move quickly. After overserved, crossed paths with a bad choice, he was arrested.
Allen may or may not miss a few games this season, though if he does, it sounds like the team will try to limit the damage as much as possible. That leaves swing tackle as the last obvious hole.
Tenuta was more popular with fans than with the coaches, since he didn’t make the 53-man roster and had to clear waivers to stay on the practice squad. At this point, the Colts seem more willing to kick guards outside than rely on a true swing tackle, and that position still looks like a weakness.
The linebacker spot never got the stabilizer I wanted to see, either. With Allen set to miss time and the group still young overall, I thought bringing Pratt back would make sense as a steadying presence.
That didn’t happen. There really isn’t a strong free-agent or cut option available now, so the reality may be that the Colts just have to absorb some mistakes.
I’ll be happy if I see a linebacker - any linebacker - close enough to a receiver 15 yards downfield over the middle. It would help even more if that group is battle tested by the stretch run.
With the depth in the secondary, I expect Indianapolis to lean on two-linebacker looks, and maybe even one-linebacker sets.
Still, there’s a lot to like entering the season. The team made it through the preseason without losing anyone for an extended stretch.
The quarterback is legit, and Shane has plenty of weapons to work with. The offense has already shown what success looks like, and I don’t think it was a fluke.
I think it can happen again. On defense, the starters don’t worry me much, but the rotational defensive linemen do.
If the unit can improve in any number of ways - more pass rush, better coverage in the middle, or simply forcing a few more turnovers - this team should be formidable.
In Other News...
Colts Make An Early QB Call That Will Shape This Season
The Colts have made an early quarterback decision that gives a clearer picture of how they plan to open the 2026 season, with Anthony Richardson Sr. set to begin as the backup behind the starter. Shane Steichen said the choice was driven by preseason performance, a straightforward football call that carries plenty of weight for a team still sorting out its long-term answer under center.
It also comes against a busy early-week backdrop for Indianapolis, with Keenan Allen expected to be available for Week 1 despite a recent legal matter and Alec Pierce back in full practice after working through an ankle and heel injury. The Colts have also settled on their five captains and are still managing a few other injury situations, so while the quarterback pecking order is now clearer, the bigger roster picture is still settling into place. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Richardsons Colts Future Just Took A Surprising Turn
Anthony Richardson Sr. is staying put in Indianapolis, and for now hes moving into a different spot on the quarterback depth chart. The Colts have settled on Daniel Jones as the starter, with Richardson backing him up and Riley Leonard serving as the emergency third quarterback after a competitive offseason and training camp battle that kept the room under a microscope.
Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard both confirmed Richardson will remain with the team even after his earlier trade request, a notable turn in a situation that had been drawing plenty of attention around the Colts. The decision leaves Indianapolis with a clear order at quarterback, but it also keeps Richardson in the building, where the next phase of his Colts future will unfold behind Jones. [Read more 🡒]
Colts May Open Week 1 With A Rookie Problem They Didn't Expect
The Colts went into the spring and summer expecting rookie help on defense, but Week 1 could arrive before either of those additions is ready to take a starting role. Indianapolis drafted linebacker CJ Allen and safety AJ Haulcy with the idea of filling the void left by departing players, yet the opener against the Ravens may feature a different look if the rookies are not in place by kickoff.
Haulcy is still working back from an ankle injury and has not practiced recently, while Allen has returned from injury but has not locked down a first-team job. General manager Chris Ballard said Haulcy is progressing, though he would not put a timetable on his return, which leaves the Colts sorting through other options such as Hunter Wohler, Akeen Davis-Gaither and Jaylon Carlies as the opener gets closer. [Read more 🡒]