Indianapolis Colts 2026 NFL Season Preview

Offense

Quarterback Daniel Jones was well on his way to the best season of his seven-year career as the Colts scored on their first 10 possessions and put up 103 points in a 3-0 start. But in November, he suffered a fractured fibula, and then a season-ending torn ACL in December. Although he finished 8-5 as a starter with a career-best 68% completion rate, “Indiana” Jones wasn’t on the field to finish what seemed like such a promising run.

Jones is said to be ahead of schedule in his rehab and is expected to be ready for camp. Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor is coming off the second-best season of his career with 1,585 rushing yards and a league-leading 18 TDs on the ground. Four starters return up front, with 2025 second-round pick Jalen Travis taking over at right tackle.

Deep-threat wide receiver Alec Pierce got paid — a four-year deal worth $114 million — but that meant the Colts dealt previous No. 1 wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers. More will be expected of Pierce, who has averaged 18.7 yards per catch in his four seasons. Tight end Tyler Warren shined as a rookie with 76 receptions for 817 yards and four TDs. That was four catches shy of Pittman’s team-high total. Expect Warren to get more touches. He stretches the middle of the field and is excellent at moving the chains. Slot receiver Josh Downs, who has 198 catches for 2,140 yards and 11 TDs in three seasons, should get more targets lining up outside.

Defense

The offseason trade of linebacker/captain Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers left a hole in the middle. The Colts hope they filled that with the second-round selection of Georgia linebacker CJ Allen, who was a tackle machine in college. He doesn’t possess the same size as Franklin, but he’s quicker and could be an effective blitzer. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Sauce Gardner are all looking to bounce back from injuries to play at Pro Bowl levels.

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo got some familiar help with the addition of free-agent linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, who played four seasons for Anarumo with the Cincinnati Bengals. Davis-Gaither had a career-high 117 tackles with the Arizona Cardinals last year. The Colts are hopeful that third-round pick A.J. Haulcy can play right away at safety next to 2025 addition Cam Bynum, who delivered in the first season of a four-year, $60-million deal with 81 tackles and four interceptions. Bynum makes plays. The Colts need these kinds of playmakers to deliver in the clutch.

Defensive end Laiatu Latu, a 2024 first-round pick, made a huge jump in his second season with 45 tackles, 8.5 sacks and three INTs. He impacts the game both as an edge rusher and dropping back in coverage — he had five passes defended, too. Who will bring the heat from the other side is up for grabs. The Colts dipped into free agency again to add end Arden Key, who has 30.5 sacks in eight seasons, as well as Micheal Clemons, who had 8.5 sacks in four seasons with the New York Jets. Key signed a two-year, $16 million deal, and Clemons signed for $17 million over three years. In sticking with the team’s overall storyline, much is expected from both veterans. Grover Stewart and Buckner return inside as one of the league’s best tandems, presuming Buckner has recovered from a neck injury that led to a stem cell transplant in the offseason. When healthy, Buckner demands double-teams and frees up teammates to make more plays.

Specialists

The Colts have to decide on a placekicker between Spencer Shrader and Blake Grupe. Shrader was lost to a torn ACL and MCL in the fifth game. Before that, he had made 13-of-14 field goals and all 14 extra points. Grupe was also impressive in making all 11 field goals, including a franchise-record 60-yarder, as well as 10 extra points. Shrader has the edge, but who kicks best in preseason wins this job.

Punter Rigoberto Sanchez and long-snapper Luke Rhodes have been constants since 2017 and 2016, respectively. Rhodes has been to one Pro Bowl. Sanchez averaged a career-best 44.7 net yards last year.

Final Analysis

The Colts are convinced that the 8-2 start proved they had enough parts to get to the playoffs. But as the collapse reiterated, rarely does everything go according to plan. Players get hurt, and how the Colts recover from those losses will determine if this team makes the playoffs. The Colts have enough offensive firepower to score if Jones is playing to form, Taylor is the reliable workhorse, the line provides protection and rushing lanes and the receivers up their production. Defense is the question. Ward and Gardner can be one of the league’s best shutdown corner tandems. Latu could ascend to a Pro Bowl level. Bynum impacts games. But will enough new pieces deliver?

Irsay-Gordon displayed patience in her fateful decision on Ballard and Steichen. But don’t misconstrue her choice as weakness. She couldn’t have been more stern in specifying expectations. The Colts had better deliver, or she won’t hesitate to start anew with fresh faces. The hunch is that the Colts can make the playoffs but lack the parts to be a Super Bowl contender. The question then becomes: Will that be enough to keep the system intact? Throughout his career, Irsay set a high benchmark — winning three consecutive Super Bowls was his goal, and he desperately chased the unprecedented achievement. Irsay-Gordon might not have the same goal, but that’s what she grew up around when groomed for the position. She is driven to build upon her father’s legacy of one Super Bowl win and deliver for a disillusioned fan base.