News Colts Team Notes

[Indianapolis Colts]

Colts’ Irsay daughters still firmly believe in Ballard, Steichen, but ‘standard hasn’t been met’ as of late

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

No ownership mandates were publicly made, but this appears to be a pivotal year for the Colts’ top brass—especially with the ownership transition now in place.

In their first press conference since transitioning into their new ownership roles with the Colts organization since their late father’s recent passing, the Irsay daughters: Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson shared some thoughts on the continued direction of the franchise—which is fully expected to remain within the ‘family business.’

Even though Jim Irsay sadly wasn’t alive to see it, it’s what he always wanted and envisioned, which was part of a bittersweet moment on Tuesday afternoon for the Irsay Family—as it finally came to fruition with his three daughters, who have been ‘learning on the job’ for years now for this exact (and inevitable) moment in time.

While there were a lot of interesting tidbits, one in particular is that although there’s still firm belief that longtime general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen will turn the recent mediocrity of the franchise around, there was also clear public acknowledgment that the Colts’ once proud standard of winning hasn’t been met as of late (via ESPN’s Stephen Holder):

Asked about the direction of the team, Carlie Irsay-Gordon says “We have a standard and it hasn’t been met.”

She adds that she thinks Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen are capable of turning things around. But she makes no broad promises/commitments on personnel.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) June 10, 2025​

There wasn’t any sort of ‘make-or-break’ ownership mandate, but at the same time, one would have to realistically think that the Colts may have to secure a playoff berth—or any or all of Ballard, Steichen, and even 23-year-old quarterback Anthony Richardson could be safely moved on from next offseason—as the Irsay daughters swiftly clean house and bring in new leaders.

For what it’s worth, Irsay-Gordon issued an initial vote of confidence for Richardson, who’s currently resting a surgically repaired right throwing shoulder after recently experiencing soreness during the team’s OTAs—and has had a roller coaster ride to begin his pro career:

#Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon on Anthony Richardson:

"I think he has all of the potential in the world ..."

Acknowledged the shaky start to his career but thinks he can still be a great player.

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) June 10, 2025​

In general, the Irsay daughters appear to be more of a 3-headed ownership group than the singular ownership presence that their late father was for the majority of his lengthy tenure as the Colts team owner—although they were much more heavily involved in team decisions recently given his past health issues.

The succession plan has been in place for a while. It may have just come sooner than initially anticipated given their late father’s ‘gone-too-soon’ passing.

They will likely continue the same sort of graceful and kind stewardship for the city and state, but at the same time, I would anticipate a bit more calculation with their public comments and arguably a lot less of the eccentricities—including some of that ‘Willy Wonka’ persona that really made Jim Irsay so endearing to the every Colts fan.

However, they appear to be poised and ready to lead, it’ll just be in their own styles—which includes getting the Colts back to their once winning ways, first and foremost.

Source: https://www.stampedeblue.com/2025/6...-steichen-but-standard-hasnt-been-met-as-late

 

[Indianapolis Colts]

Expect to see Daniel Jones starting for the Colts this year

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

It will happen at some point. The question is, for how long?

Daniel Jones was one of the major offseason acquisitions for the Indianapolis Colts. Normally, the backup quarterback doesn’t make many headlines but given the size of his contract and the fact that he will be given a fair chance to win the starting position, Jones’ signing shouldn’t be seen as an afterthought. With a turbulent start to Anthony Richardson’s career and the concerning news regarding his A/C joint flair up, Jones’s name will continue to be in the forefront. Currently, there is no timetable for Richardson to return, and he is even meeting with the doctor who performed the original surgery for a second opinion. That all sounds troubling and allows Jones an opportunity to rise to the moment. Whether it is the opening game or somewhere along the way, expect Jones to start for the Colts in 2025.

Let’s just call it what it is; Richardson can’t stay healthy. He simply can’t. He hasn’t proven he can during his two year career, and this latest news is par for the course. Needing to seek a second opinion from a surgeon the second day into offseason activities is almost laughable; not in a funny “ha ha” way, but in a “can this really be happening” sort of way. The laundry list of injuries is long and the amount of time out of action is reaching an insurmountable level. It is too early to say exactly what this latest issue is, but it is a setback at best. Missing any time is detrimental. He is not an established vet. He is a quarterback with one year of true action under his belt. Being away for any stretch of time continues to put him at a severe disadvantage.

Enter Daniel Jones.

Jones isn’t a quarterback that is going to jump off the page and make fans clamor for more necessarily, but he has experience and can stay healthier than Richardson. The greatest ability is availability. If Richardson can’t ramp up in time, continues to miss time, suffers more injuries, and can’t perform up to standards because of any of the above, he will watch his playing time disappear. Jones isn’t so far away from competency that if he gets the starting role, don’t look for him to give it back. He knows this could be his last shot to impress. That is why he came to the Colts. He saw a vulnerable quarterback who can’t stay on the field. Expect him to take full advantage of the situation.

Give a NFL player a chance at a starting role and they will do everything in their power to seize the moment. Given Anthony Richardson’s setback to kick off the offseason, it is easy to imagine a scenario where an injury happens again. Daniel Jones will be ready. He understands how valuable those first team snaps and opportunities are. We may not see him opening day, but expect Jones to suit up as the starter at some point. The only question is whether he will give the role back once he takes it.

Source: https://www.stampedeblue.com/2025/6...daniel-jones-starting-for-the-colts-this-year

 

[Indianapolis Colts]

Colts QB Anthony Richardson seeks top surgeon’s opinion again, but outlook remains same

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Colts QB Anthony Richardson did reportedly seek another medical opinion on his sore surgically repaired right throwing shoulder, but no further surgery is advised right now.

According to his head coach Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts 3rd-year quarterback Anthony Richardson did indeed visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Tuesday, but his initial recovery outlook remains the same (via ESPN’s Stephen Holder):

Colts coach Shane Steichen says QB Anthony Richardson did see Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles for a second opinion on his shoulder, but the outlook remains the same: Just needs rest and time for right now.

— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) June 10, 2025​

ElAttrache is the renowned surgeon who performed the initial surgery on Richardson’s injured shoulder during October of 2023—after suffering a sprained A/C joint as a rookie.

Richardson recently experienced soreness in his surgically repaired right throwing shoulder during Day 2 of the team’s OTAs and was subsequently shut down from further activity.

However, at this point, while there is no timetable for his return, the recommended course of medical action by the renowned surgeon is still rest and more time to let it recover.

For what it’s worth, the Colts and Richardson are hopeful he’ll be ready to go by the start of the team’s training camp in late July—although he could be on an initial ‘pitch count’ until he fully builds up the conditioning in his throwing shoulder again and sees how it responds.

It’s not the first time that Richardson has experienced soreness in his since surgically repaired shoulder, as he previously experienced some throwing during last offseason during that June’s veteran minicamp and was shut down for a bit.

The difference was that was just a handful of months after the initial surgery—and was possibly not unexpected, while this is over a year and a half—and I’m no medical doctor, but maybe not as much given the extended passage of time.

In what’s been publicly declared by the team’s top brass as an open offseason competition for the Colts’ QB1 job, those are valuable reps he’s losing to his top challenger, veteran free agent addition Daniel Jones, who Indianapolis paid bottom tier starter money to push the still 23-year-old quarterback in this year’s training camp and preseason.

Source: https://www.stampedeblue.com/2025/6...rgeons-opinion-again-but-outlook-remains-same

 

[Indianapolis Colts]

Most intriguing offensive position battles ahead of Colts training camp

Alec Pierce #14 and Adonai Mitchell #10 walk off the practice field during training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Ind. — Aug. 14, 2024 | Thomas Butler-Guerrero

As the Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the offseason program Thursday with the final practice of mandatory veteran minicamp, key position battles are beginning to take form ahead of training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts wrapped up the NFL offseason program on Thursday with the final practice of mandatory veteran minicamp. Key position battles are beginning to take form as players split reps with six weeks before the Colts report to training camp at Grand Park in Westfield, Ind on July 22.

Quarterback: Anthony Richardson vs. Daniel Jones

Quarterback Anthony Richardson was given the keys to the Colts franchise for his first two seasons, but his starter status is in doubt because he has yet to stay healthy for the duration of a full NFL season, or an offseason for that matter. The 23-year-old’s development has been plagued by numerous injuries and setbacks, including the most recent aggravation of the same AC joint in his throwing shoulder that ultimately required surgery during his rookie season. Richardson was ultimately shut down before the second week of OTAs and veteran minicamp.

Indianapolis’ fourth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft is as unique of an athlete as one could find. There is not a single other player on the roster that can put on a show like Richardson, whose highlights feature a jaw-dropping ability to launch the football well over 60 yards through the air off his back foot, tagged with his dual-threat capabilities to outrun defenders in the open field or run over defenders at the goal line.

As Richardson enters a pivotal third campaign with the Colts, he has to prove to head coach Shane Steichen that he can stay consistent before he is renamed the starter. He has to prove to GM Chris Ballard, and much of the fanbase, that he can stay healthy for a 17-game season. Perhaps most importantly, Richardson has to prove that he is ready to show what it takes to be an NFL QB.

A sixth-year professional quarterback should be able to waltz into this situation and gain any possible advantage in the competition by gaining rapport with the starting offense. Quarterback Daniel Jones took command of all the first-team reps during the second week of OTAs and minicamp. If Richardson’s injury lingers early into training camp, Jones may emerge as the favorite to become the Colts Week 1 starter.

A dot. pic.twitter.com/9HxUffTiIW

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) June 12, 2025​

Wide Receiver: Alec Pierce vs Adonai Mitchell

Receivers Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell will be tied together in discussions for the second consecutive training camp. Competition brought out the best of Pierce last season, who thrived with a breakout campaign. Pierce led the Colts with 824 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on just 37 receptions, while his 22.3 yards per reception led all NFL receivers.

Mitchell arrived on the scene with a chip on his shoulder after falling to the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He struggled to find a rhythm with either QB last season and was limited to just 23 catches for 312 receiving yards. Despite Mitchell still searching for his first NFL touchdown, this position battle is based on the potential of both receivers. Mitchell was able to create the most separation from defenders among the Colts receiver room, but averaged just 18.4 receiving yards per game. The Colts boast a loaded arsenal of weapons for whichever QB takes the reigns into the 2025 season and the competition between Pierce and Mitchell will be exciting to watch play out this summer.

AD aura. pic.twitter.com/U7ww0GWOMS

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) June 12, 2025​

Center: Tanor Bortolini vs Danny Pinter

Another key position battle will be the future snapper following the departure of nine-year center Ryan Kelly, signing with the Minnesota Vikings. Tanor Bortolini made five starts at center during his rookie season in 2024 and has the opportunity to earn the full-time starting job. The Colts were able to retain Danny Pinter in free agency to provide some competition and depth, but Pinter likely views this as an opportunity to move up the depth chart and assume the starting center position. Pinter made both of his starts across a two-week stretch to begin December in New England and Denver, but has been limited to just nine starts since being drafted by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Honorable Mention: Backup Running Back and Tight End

Steichen has shown he will lean on the Colts identity and feed Jonathan Taylor to “run the damn ball” on consecutive carries to wear out the defense on a single drive. Taylor took a career-high 21.6 attempts per game last season, so Steichen may consider sharing the workload after Indianapolis added two complementary tailbacks in the backfield this offseason. Khalil Herbert signed a one-year deal with the Colts during free agency after being limited to just 36 carries and one touchdown in 14 games between two different teams last season. Rookie running back D.J. Giddens will be an intriguing addition to watch during training camp. Giddens is an athletic, powerful workhorse who can add situational value in the pass game as a receiver out of the backfield. Giddens caught 50 passes for 581 receiving yards and four receiving TDs across the last two seasons at Kansas State. Both rushers seek to become the 1-2 punch behind Taylor.

Two other position battles on the offensive side of the ball that should be mentioned is the depth at backup tight end and running back. First-round draft pick Tyler Warren is assumed to be one of the starters, but the Colts often run two tight-end sets. Veteran Mo Ali-Cox and Drew Ogletree will battle to earn a starting role in 12 personnel opposite Warren. Cox will be more of a blocking specialist as his production has declined in each of the last five seasons. Ogletree enters his third season and aims to fetch more than the nine receptions he’s produced in each of his first two seasons.

The Colts return nine of 11 starters on offense from last season after Will Fries and Ryan Kelly chose to sign with Minnesota in free agency. All three additions in Jones, Warren, and Giddens should add tremendous value and make an immediate impact on the offense.

Source: https://www.stampedeblue.com/2025/6...uing-off-position-battles-ahead-of-colts-camp

 

[Indianapolis Colts]

Colts head coach Shane Steichen on QB Daniel Jones: ‘He’s been doing a hell of a job’

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

The early offseason returns for Colts QB Daniel Jones have been encouraging, but cautious optimism is still required going forward.

According to head coach Shane Steichen, new Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has been doing a ‘hell of a job’ through OTAs and minicamp with the team—acknowledging ‘he’s been very pleased’ with his offense’s veteran addition so far (via WISH-TV’s Anthony Calhoun):

The latest on #Colts QB Daniel Jones so far in Indy?

"He's been doing a hell of a job" @WISHNews8 pic.twitter.com/oEuGGq3bDw

— Anthony Calhoun (@ACwishtv) June 12, 2025​

It’s not necessarily surprising that Jones has looked pretty good so far through non-contact, on-field offseason drills, as his accuracy can really shine on shorter-to-intermediate throws.

The Colts bested the Minnesota Vikings in free agency by paying Jones bottom-tier NFL starting quarterback money to compete with incumbent 3rd-year pro Anthony Richardson, who’s currently resting a sore surgically repaired right throwing shoulder for the near future.

From that standpoint, Jones already has a bit of a head start on Richardson during what’s been publicly declared as an open starting quarterback competition—albeit he still doesn’t have two years in Steichen’s playbook and within this offensive system like the latter does:

Daniel Jones on if Anthony Richardson's absence provides chance to take Colts' starting QB job:

"I've got a lot of work to do just learning this offense and getting used to it. So, trying to focus as much on that and then playing good football when I'm on the field at practice."

— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) June 12, 2025​

The early offseason results from Jones have no doubt been encouraging. That being said, having previously heard glowing offseason reports from former Colts recent attempted starters—including an aged Matt Ryan, I’m still taking this with some cautious optimism.

It is at least positive that even with Richardson’s uncertain ongoing health status, the Colts have a quarterback already in the fold with proven starting experience, who’s had some past success. Not to mention, they don’t have to significantly alter their offensive playbook either—as both Richardson and Jones possess somewhat similar dual-threat mobility.

Maybe the former first round pick and ex-New York Giants franchise quarterback hopeful just needed a change of scenery—and an offensive minded head coach eager to unlock his still untapped career potential (i.e., like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold recently).

On the other hand, maybe the same things that have plagued Jones previously in his up-and-down pro career: injuries, inconsistency, and turnovers will rear their ugly head once again in Indianapolis.

If you’re a Colts fan, if Jones is ultimately the guy at QB1, here’s hoping for the former.

Source: https://www.stampedeblue.com/2025/6...b-daniel-jones-hes-been-doing-a-hell-of-a-job