Indianapolis Colts: A Pivotal 2025 Season on the Horizon

The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2025 NFL season at a critical juncture. After an 8-9 finish in Shane Steichen’s second year as head coach, and narrowly missing out on the AFC South title in 2024, the pressure is on to demonstrate significant progress. This season marks Steichen’s third year at the helm and a crucial Year 3 for quarterback Anthony Richardson, the cornerstone of the Colts’ future.

Richardson’s career to date has been a mixed bag. Drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, his immense potential is undeniable, but his availability has been a major concern. He’s struggled to stay healthy, limiting his time on the field and hindering his development. Last season, he managed to start 11 games, posting a 6-5 record, a marked improvement from his 2-2 record as a rookie in 2023. However, the Colts need him to remain healthy for the entirety of the season if they hope to seriously contend.

The Colts have made substantial changes to both their coaching staff and roster in an effort to elevate their performance in 2025. The most notable change is the departure of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. His replacement is Lou Anarumo, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals. Anarumo’s reputation as an innovative and aggressive defensive mind has raised expectations that he can revitalize the Colts’ defense.

The defensive overhaul extends beyond the coaching staff. The Colts have actively addressed their secondary issues by bringing in proven veterans. Safety Cam Bynum, and cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Corey Ballentine have been added to the roster to bolster the team’s pass defense. These additions should provide a much-needed upgrade in experience and talent to the Colts’ defensive backfield, allowing them to compete more effectively against the high-powered passing attacks that dominate the modern NFL.

Offensively, the Colts are facing challenges due to departures in their offensive line. Will Fries and Ryan Kelly, both former starters, have left via free agency, creating holes at guard and center, respectively. The Colts are banking on in-house replacements to fill these critical roles. Matt Gonclaves is expected to step in at guard, while Tanor Bortolini will be tasked with anchoring the offensive line at center. The success of these relatively unproven players will be vital to protecting Richardson and establishing a consistent running game.

The Colts addressed their tight end position by selecting Tyler Warren in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Warren’s size, athleticism, and blocking ability make him a potentially valuable asset in both the passing and running game. The Colts used the rest of their draft capital to address needs on both sides of the ball, selecting edge rusher JT Tuimoloau, cornerback Justin Walley, tackle Jalen Travis, and running back DJ Giddens.

This season is crucial for both Steichen and Richardson. The Colts have a significant decision looming regarding Richardson’s fifth-year option, making his performance in 2025 a major factor in that decision. The franchise faces a tough choice about the future of the most important position on the roster.

Given these high stakes, can Indianapolis take a step forward in 2025 and once again compete for the AFC South crown? Early predictions from USA TODAY Sports suggest a challenging season ahead, with a projected record of 7-10.

The article highlights that the Colts face stiff competition within their division. The Jacksonville Jaguars have a new coaching staff led by Liam Coen. The Tennessee Titans have upgraded their offensive line, wide receiver corps, and quarterback, signaling a clear intention to improve their offensive output. Even the Houston Texans, who won the division in 2024, have brought in a new offensive coordinator, Nick Caley, to further refine their offense.

The Colts are predicted to go 3-3 in the division, splitting games with Jacksonville, losing twice to Houston, and winning twice against Tennessee.

Beyond the AFC South, the Colts’ schedule presents a difficult challenge. They face a tough slate of out-of-division opponents from the NFC West and AFC West. The AFC West, in particular, is expected to be highly competitive. Three teams from the AFC West made the playoffs last year, and the Las Vegas Raiders are projected to improve significantly with a proven head coach and quarterback. The NFC West is also expected to be a challenging division in 2025.

The Colts’ schedule does include winnable home games against the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons, as well as a road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the overall strength of their schedule is daunting.

Even with potential improvements from Richardson and the defense under Anarumo, the Colts’ out-of-division schedule is a significant obstacle. This leads to the prediction that the Colts will miss the playoffs again and potentially regress in the win column despite on-field improvements.

The season hinges on Richardson’s health, the successful integration of the new defensive pieces, and the ability of the young offensive linemen to protect Richardson and establish a running game. If these factors fall into place, the Colts could surprise many and contend for a playoff spot. However, if these issues persist, the Colts could face another disappointing season, leaving the future of Steichen and Richardson in doubt.

The Colts 2025 season is not just about wins and losses, it’s about the direction of the franchise. Will they solidify their place as a contender in the AFC, or will they be forced to re-evaluate their long-term plans?