Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Shane Steichen
Offensive Coordinator: Jim Bob Cooter
Defensive Coordinator: Lou Anarumo
Special Teams Coordinator: Brian Mason
2025 Summary (W-L Record: 8-9)
The Colts started last season 8-2 and appeared to be a lock to make the playoffs. Then they lost their final 7 games.
They went from scoring 32.1 points per game and allowing just 20.6 during that 8-2 start to scoring just 20.7 and allowing 29.4 during their 7-game losing streak.
It was, to say the least, a disastrous finish to a promising season.
Injuries certainly played a huge role, as key players like quarterback Daniel Jones, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, and cornerback Sauce Gardner (who they traded for during the season) missed significant time.
They were so banged up that they turned to 44-year old Philip Rivers (who hadn’t played since the 2020 season) to start 3 of their final 4 games.
It’s hard to analyze how good or bad the Colts truly were last year based on how unlucky they were in the health department. Although, that’s a part of the game. And it will be a a major question for the Colts in terms of projecting 2026.
Key Additions
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
OG Jalen Farmer (4th Rd, 113th Overall)
DL Colby Wooden
DL Derrick Nnadi
DL Jerry Tillery
EDGE Arden Key
EDGE George Gumbs Jr. (5th Rd, 156th Overall)
EDGE Micheal Clemons
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
LB CJ Allen (2nd Rd, 53rd Overall)
LB Bryce Boettcher (4th Rd, 135th Overall)
CB Cam Taylor-Britt
S A.J. Haulcy (3rd Rd, 78th Overall)
S Jonathan Owens
S Juanyeh Thomas
Key Losses
RB Ameer Abdullah
WR Michael Pittman Jr.
RT Braden Smith
C Danny Pinter
DL Neville Gallimore
EDGE Kwity Paye
EDGE Samson Ebukam
EDGE Tyquan Lewis
LB Zaire Franklin
LB Germaine Pratt
CB Kenny Moore
S Nick Cross
S Rodney Thomas II
Biggest Questions Entering 2026
Can Daniel Jones stay healthy and perform well 2 years in a row?
I’ve said this before, but Daniel Jones has had some of the best performances by a quarterback in NFL history. That sounds weird to say, but it’s true.
During his rookie season, Jones became the first rookie ever to throw for 350 yards, 5 touchdowns, and no interceptions in a game. He also tied a record for most games in a rookie season with 4+ TD passes.
In his playoff debut in 2022 with the Giants, Jones became the first quarterback ever to throw for 300+ yards, 2+ TDs, and rush for 70+ yards in a playoff game.
He had a ton of success in his first season with the Colts too.
Jones completed 68% of his passes in 2025, which was the 2nd-best in Colts history, right behind Peyton Manning. And it’s not like he was just dinking and dunking his way to that high completion rate. He averaged 8.0 intended air yards per pass attempt, the 12th-highest rate in the NFL.
During the first 10 games of the season, before Jones fractured his fibula (which he played through for 2+ games), the Colts scored on 57.6% of their drives, which led the NFL.
The talent has always been there for Jones. The health and consistency haven’t been.
After a good rookie campaign in 2019, Jones had 2 underwhelming and injury-riddled seasons.
Then he led the Giants to the playoffs in 2022 before having two more injury-plagued and subpar seasons in ‘23 and ‘24.
Last year, he helped turn the Colts into a top offense in the league before injuries plagued him once again.
And quite frankly, his health is really where you can pinpoint the demise of the 2025 Colts. As mentioned above, they went from scoring 32.1 points per game before he got hurt to averaging just 20.7 over their final 7 games.
In particular, their rushing attack took a huge hit. They averaged 145.3 rushing yards through those first 10 games, good for 3rd-most in the NFL. They were dynamic and could uniquely generate big plays on inside runs like no other team could:
How the Colts' Run Game is Winning Between the Tackles
Entering Week 12, the Colts rank 1st in rushing yards per attempt and 4th in runs of 10 yards or more. Their ground game can sustain the offense and create big plays.
After Jones broke his fibula, he couldn’t factor into the run as much for 2 games. Once he was gone for the year, defenses loaded up to stop Jonathan Taylor and dared the Colts to throw. Indy’s production on the ground was cut in half as they averaged just 79.1 yards over those final 7 games.
The biggest questions for 2026, therefore, are can Jones remain healthy and can he perform at a high level 2 years in a row? The Colts season will hinge on it.
Can the defense play like it did during their 8-2 start?
Similar to the offense, the defense’s season can be broken into two parts. They were a top-10 scoring defense that got after the quarterback during their 8-2 start. The Colts were 7th in sacks and 6th in pressure % through those first 10 games.
But they finished the year 21st in points allowed, 15th in sacks, and 16th in pressure %.