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Colts | Indy to hold open QB competition Tue Feb 25, 04:50 PM
Updating a previous report, Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson will indeed face an open competition for the starting job after previous speculation, general manager Chris Ballard confirmed Tuesday, Feb. 25. The Colts will bring in a player to challenge him, likely in free agency, according to The Athletic's Zak Keefer.
Link to storyAnthony Richardson player page
The Indianapolis Colts officially announced that defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, senior assistant/defensive line coach Matt Raich, assistant linebackers coach Cato June, defensive quality control coach Brent Jackson, defensive assistant Brent Stockstill and Tony Dungy Diversity Coaching Fellows Diego Ortiz and Kalon Humphries will be retained for the 2025 season by new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Link to storyCato June player page
Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent DE Dayo Odeyingbo likely will not be a candidate for the franchise tag this offseason, in the opinion of ESPN,com's Stephen Holder.
Link to storyDayo Odeyingbo player page
Indianapolis Colts WR Adonai Mitchell finished 149th of 158 receivers (min. 10 targets) in catch percentage last season at 41.8%. Nonetheless, the Colts remain bullish on his ability to be a good receiver.'Just young. Like any young player, there's going to be a maturation process with him. And he definitely had some really strong moments, but we need more consistent moments from him,' general manager Chris Ballard said last month.
Link to storyIndianapolis Colts exclusive rights free-agent C Ryan Coll probably will receive a tender offer this offseason, in the opinion of ColtsWire's Paul Bretl.
Link to storyIndianapolis Colts impending free-agent QB Joe Flacco probably will not re-sign with the Colts this offseason, in the opinion of ColtsWire's Paul Bretl.
Link to storyJoe Flacco player page
Indianapolis Colts restricted free-agent OG Wesley French and S Trevor Denbow seem unlikely to receive tender offers this offseason but could re-sign with the team at some point, in the opinion of ColtsWire's Paul Bretl.
Link to storyIndianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor ranked third in the NFL with 859 rushing yards before contact during the 2024 season.
Footballguys view: Taylor had some ankle issues during the season, but resumed the dominant form that had him in contention to be the #1 overall pick in fantasy drafts in 2022 by the end of the season. Despite that development, he may go lower next season than the late first/early second round ADP he carried into 2024 fantasy drafts. |
Jonathan Taylor player page
Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent C Ryan Kelly said he would like to re-sign with the Colts this offseason but expects to talk with other teams during free agency.
Footballguys view: Quenton Nelson is the better known name, but Kelly has been a cornerstone of an above average line in his nine years with the Colts. He expressed disappointment when the team didn't offer him an extension last offseason, and then they drafted Tanner Bortolini, a center from Wisconsin, in the fourth round of last year's draft. Kelly could be a big veteran addition for an offensive line, but he'll need to be able to play more than the 10 games he did last year because of missed time with a knee injury. |
The Indianapolis Colts will hire former Cincinnati Bengals linebackers coach James Bettcher to fulfill the same position with their team, according to a source.
Link to storyFree-agent WR Ajou Ajou signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Indianapolis Colts Friday, Jan. 24. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyUpdating a previous report, Lou Anarumo officially signed an undisclosed contract to become the new defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Footballguys view: Anarumo joins the Colts after spending the last six seasons (2019-2024) as the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator. With the Bengals, Anarumo fielded defenses that consistently made things difficult for opposing quarterbacks. Cincinnati's defense in 2024 finished top 10 in the NFL in interceptions, pick-sixes, and passes defensed; defensive end Trey Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. Anarumo's Bengals defense in 2022 held opponents to 20.1 points per game and a 58.9 completion percentage, the lowest rate in the NFL. In 2021, Anarumo helped push the Bengals to the Super Bowl by holding Cincinnati's opponents to 20.5 points per game. He'll replace Gus Bradley, who was fired after a complete collapse against the Giants in the regular-season finale, highlighting an overall failure to develop drafted talent. |
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson told ESPN.com's Stephen Holder that he expects to work with biometric expert Chris Hess this offseason. Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen recently credited Hess as being 'the most influential person in my mechanical career' after Hess refined some parts of Allen's throwing motion during the early part of his pro career.
Footballguys view: It's all part of a bigger effort by Richardson to demonstrate he can be the quarterback the Colts need him to be. According to ESPN.com's Stephen Holder, no one, including the Colts, wants to consider the alternative. Improvement is imperative after Richardson regressed as a passer in 2024. Though he had only a small sample size as a rookie (four games), his completion percentage dropped more than 11 percentage points from his first season (59.5 percent) to his second (an NFL-low 47.7 percent). His turnovers jumped, too, with his interception rate rising from 1.2 percent to 4.5 percent. There were also ambiguous issues with Richardson's off-field preparation, which GM Chris Ballard acknowledges contributed to the QB's midseason two-game benching. Given the circumstances, bringing a legitimate contender in to compete with Richardson makes sense. We'll continue to watch for more. |
Anthony Richardson player page
Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has been hired by the Indianapolis Colts to be their new defensive coordinator, according to sources.
Footballguys view: The Colts fired Gus Bradley after the end of the regular season. That's also when the Bengals dismissed Anarumo. He was hired in Cincinnati along with head coach Zay Taylor in 2019 and helped the team make it to the Super Bowl after the 2021 season, but the Bengals defense struggled the last two years. The Colts hope a change of scenery leads to a return to better results for Anarumo. |
Free-agent OT Luke Tenuta signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Indianapolis Colts Wednesday, Jan. 15. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyMichigan defensive coordinator Don Martindale will interview for the Indianapolis Colts' defensive coordinator vacancy Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Footballguys view: Martindale is set to interview with the Colts about taking their vacant defensive coordinator positions, according to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero. Martindale will also interview for that same position with the Falcons, and he's also drawing "interest" from the Cincinnati Bengals, which ranked 24th out of 32 NFL teams in total defensive output this past year, according to the report. The Colts, which were fourth-worst this year, parted ways with former coordinator Gus Bradley. Martindale has experience coaching in the NFL, working for the Denver Broncos in the 2010 season, the Baltimore Ravens from 2018 to 2021, and the New York Giants in 2022. |
Indianapolis Colts LB Cameron McGrone signed a one-year contract extension, the team announced Monday. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.
Link to storyCameron McGrone player page
Former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen will interview Friday, Jan. 17, for the Indianapolis Colts' defensive coordinator post.
Footballguys view: Allen was underwhelming as a head coach (for the second time), but many see him as an attractive defensive coordinator candidate. The Colts moved on from Gus Bradley after a complete collapse against the Giants and overall failure to develop a considerable amount of drafted talent. |
Indianapolis Colts LB Zaire Franklin led the NFL with 173 total tackles this season, and his 93 solo stops were tied for the third most. Franklin also finished tied for second in the league with five forced fumbles.
Link to storyZaire Franklin player page
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson likely will have competition for the quarterback job next season, according to general manager Chris Ballard. Ballard said Richardson needs to work on his durability and accuracy this offseason.
Footballguys view: Ballard needs to make the right moves to put this team into the postseason. Richardson has a ton of physical talent, but he needs to stay healthy, focused, and be more consistent as a passer. We imagine the competition added should be more than Joe Flacco was in 2024. |
Anthony Richardson player page
Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will not need to undergo back surgery this offseason, according to general manager Chris Ballard.
Footballguys view: Pittman played with this back injury for most of the 2024 season, finishing with the lowest totals (69 catches, 808 yards, 3 touchdowns) since his rookie season in 2020. Without surgery, Pittman will give his back rest and recovery this offseason. The Colts could ease him into action during mandatory workouts and then in training camp later this summer. |
Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will interview with the Indianapolis Colts for their defensive coordinator vacancy, according to sources Thursday, Jan. 9.
Footballguys view: Wilks was out of pro football in 2024 after getting fired by the 49ers in 2023. He's got a great mind for defense and is deserving of another shot, perhaps even one day as a head coach again (former Panthers interim HC). |
Free-agent OL Jack Wilson signed a reserve/futures deal with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Link to storyFree-agent LB Jacob Phillips (Texans) was signed to a Reserve/Futures contract by the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Link to storyJacob Phillips player page
Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) said he played this season with a fractured back and that he may need offseason surgery to repair the injury.
Footballguys view: The injury was bad enough that Pittman initially believed he'd have to be placed on injured reserve. However, the Colts' training staff and medical team informed him there was a path to playing with the injury if he could handle the discomfort. Pittman underwent imaging scans every few weeks to monitor things, and the veteran wideout ultimately missed just one game despite first feeling the effects of the injury in the preseason. He finished with 69 catches in 16 games. Pittman said he was scheduled for another MRI on Monday afternoon and that decisions would soon be made on how to treat the injury moving forward. Surgery is among the options, he said. We'll monitor this and report back as developments warrant. |
Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley was fired Monday, Jan. 6.
Footballguys view: Bradley spent the last three seasons as the Colts' defensive coordinator and has been a defensive coordinator or head coach from 2009-2024. He joined the Colts in 2022 after former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was hired as the Chicago Bears' head coach. We'll follow up on the search for a replacement as the process plays out. |
The Indianapolis Colts signed RB Salvon Ahmed, LB Austin Ajiake, LB Liam Anderson, QB Jason Bean, S Marcel Dabo, CB Alex Johnson, G Atonio Mafi, TE Sean McKeon, WR DJ Montgomery, DE Durell Nchami, TE Albert Okwuegbunam Jr., DT Pheldarius Payne, G Josh Sills and WR Laquon Treadwell to Reserve/Future contracts, the team announced Monday, Jan. 6. Also, RB Tyler Goodson and LB Segun Olubi signed one-year contract extensions.
Link to storyLaquon Treadwell player page
Salvon Ahmed player page
Sean McKeon player page
Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. player page
In a letter penned to Indianapolis Colts fans, owner Jim Irsay confirmed that both GM Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen will be back for the 2025 season. "I've been evaluating our entire operation, and I believe in Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen and our collective ability to make the improvements needed to take us to the next level in 2025," wrote Irsay.
Footballguys view: Given that it was another disappointing season, the news does come as a bit of a shockâ€"at least in regards to Ballard. In eight seasons under Ballard, the Colts have only two playoff appearancesâ€"and none since 2020â€"and one playoff win. In the wide-open AFC South, the Colts haven't won the division during that span, while the Jaguars, Titans, and Texans have all won it at least twice. While Ballard's future with the team was uncertain for the last two weeks, the consensus from NFL insiders seemed to be that Steichen would return. In previous stints with the Chargers and Eagles, as well as with the Colts, Steichen has shown to be a quality offensive architect, although he and the offense did regress this season. The game plans, certain in-game decisions, and messaging seemed to take a step backward. However, when it comes to maximizing Anthony Richardson's potential success, continuity, keeping the same system, and coaching staff were always likely to be a key part of the equation. Now we know that's the case. |
Anthony Richardson player page
Indianapolis Colts WR Adonai Mitchell was targeted one time during the Week 18 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars but finished the game with zero receptions.
Link to storyIndianapolis Colts TE Mo Alie-Cox was targeted one time during the Week 18 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars but finished the game with zero receptions.
Link to storyMo Alie-Cox player page
Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce caught two passes for 57 yards and one touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18. He was targeted two times during the game.
Link to storyIndianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. caught six passes for 72 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18. He was targeted 10 times during the game.
Link to storyIndianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs caught 10 passes for 94 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18. He was targeted 13 times during the game.
Footballguys view: Downs had significant value with Joe Flacco, but wasn't even startable with Anthony Richardson. Chances are he'll be a late round stash next year as we wait to see if Richardson develops as a passer. Downs may not have the luxury of an aggressive downfield passing backup like Flacco next year, but is still a strong dynasty hold this offseason. |
Josh Downs player page
Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor rushed for 177 yards and one touchdown on 34 carries against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18. He also caught one pass for three yards during the game.
Footballguys view: Taylor was a monster down the stretch, reminding us of when he was considered the #1 overall pick in fantasy leagues two years ago. He should be a borderline first round pick again after a midseason ankle injury made 2024 a bumpy ride for his fantasy teams. |
Jonathan Taylor player page
Indianapolis Colts QB Joe Flacco went 23-for-40 for 264 yards and one touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18.
Footballguys view: Flacco once again breathed life into a passing game that was sagging without him, but couldn't get his team into the playoffs like he did with the Browns last year. We'll see if he wants to keep playing, as many teams would probably welcome a veteran backup who can keep the pulse of the downfield passing offense alive if the starter goes down. |
Joe Flacco player page
Indianapolis Colts CB Julius Brents (groin) suffered a groin injury during the Week 18 game and is considered questionable to return.
Link to storyIndianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. faces the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18, and the Jaguars are allowing the most passing yards per game in the league this season.
Footballguys view: Pittman went over 100 yards last week for just the second time this season. With QB Joe Flacco under center, Pittman should be able to go after some deep shots against the Jaguars. In fact, Pittman may be in line for another day past the century mark. |
Indianapolis Colts CB Julius Brents (knee) was activated off injured reserve on Saturday, Jan. 4. Also, CB Chris Lammons was waived.
Link to storyChris Lammons player page
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson (back) did not participate in practice Friday, Jan. 3, and has been ruled out for Week 18. CB Julius Brents (knee) fully participated in practice but is listed as questionable. DT DeForest Buckner (non-injury), C Ryan Kelly (non-injury) and DT Grover Stewart (non-injury) did not participate in practice but are not on the injury report. WR Josh Downs (ankle), OG Quenton Nelson (ankle) and WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) fully participated in practice and are not on the injury report.
Link to storyDeForest Buckner player page
Grover Stewart player page
Anthony Richardson player page
Josh Downs player page
Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) fully participated in practice Friday, Jan. 3, and is not on the injury report for Week 18.
Link to storyIndianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs (ankle) fully participated in practice Friday, Jan. 3, and is not on the injury report for Week 18.
Link to storyJosh Downs player page
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson (back) did not participate in practice Friday, Jan. 3, and has been ruled out for Week 18.
Link to storyAnthony Richardson player page
Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) fully participated in practice Thursday, Jan. 2.
Link to storyIndianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs (ankle) fully participated in practice Thursday, Jan. 2.
Link to storyJosh Downs player page
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson (back) did not practice for a second straight day on Thursday, Jan. 2. CB Julius Brents (knee), WR Josh Downs (ankle), OG Quenton Nelson (ankle) and WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) practiced in full.
Link to storyAnthony Richardson player page
Josh Downs player page
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson (back) is not practicing Thursday, Jan. 2.
Footballguys view: Richardson has back spasm problems dating back to middle school. He's not 100 percent, and the Colts are playing a meaningless game against the Jaguars in Week 18. That means Joe Flacco should start for the Colts in the season finale. |
Anthony Richardson player page
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson (back) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Jan. 1. CB Julius Brents (knee), WR Josh Downs (ankle), OG Quenton Nelson (ankle) and WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) fully participated in practice. The Colts did not hold a practice Wednesday, so the practice report is an estimation.
Link to storyAnthony Richardson player page
Josh Downs player page
Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) fully participated in practice Wednesday, Jan. 1. The Colts did not hold a practice Wednesday, so this is an estimation.
Link to storyIndianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs (ankle) fully participated in practice Wednesday, Jan. 1. The Colts did not hold a practice Wednesday, so this is an estimation.
Link to storyJosh Downs player page
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson (back) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Jan. 1. The Colts did not hold a practice Wednesday, so this is an estimation.
Footballguys view: Richardson is unlikely to play in Week 18. The Colts are out of the playoffs, and his back spasms had him out of action in Week 17. That means Joe Flacco should be under center for the Colts. |
Anthony Richardson player page