Colts Team Notes

[Indianapolis Colts]

Colts fans, this is an automated news feed that shares what's going on in Indianapolis.

 

[Indianapolis Colts]

Among the biggest positional needs that the Indianapolis Colts have to address this offseason is at safety.

The need for the Colts at this position is two-fold. For one, they just need more depth with only Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas, and Marcel Dabo under contract for the 2025 season.

But in addition to that, improved play is very much needed as well, which GM Chris Ballard pointed out during his season-ending press conference–again.

“We’ve got to get better,” said general manager Chris Ballard about the Colts’ secondary as a whole during his end of season press conference.

While we did see Nick Cross take a step forward as the team’s strong safety in 2024, the overall production from the secondary just wasn’t there for the Colts. Indianapolis would rank in the bottom third of the NFL in completion rate, yards per pass attempt, passer rating, and pass deflections.

Lou Anarumo’s disguise-heavy defensive scheme can hopefully lead to improved play on the back end, but Ballard needs to infuse competition and added talent on to the roster as well this offseason.

From a salary cap perspective, the Colts have just over $28 million in available space. This likely won’t be enough to get through an entire offseason, but they do have the ability to create more room.

With help from Pro Football Focus’ free agent rankings, here are the top available options at safety:

Jevon Holland, Dolphins​

Playing alongside of Cross, Holland could fill the free safety role. Throughout his career, he’s been a reliable tackler and run defender, and has had solid ball production with six interceptions and 13 pass breakups in his first three NFL seasons from 2021-2023.

PFF’s projected contract: 4 years, $98 million

Talanoa Hufanga, 49ers​

Injuries have limited Hufanga to just 17 games over the last two seasons. Over his career, Hufanga has been stout against the run and has limited pass catchers to only 10.1 yards per reception. He would total seven interceptions between the 2022 and 2023 seasons as well.

PFF’s projected contract: 2 years, $25 million

Camryn Bynum, Vikings​

Bynum could slide right into that deep safety role with the Colts. During his first four seasons in Minnesota, Bynum has produced eight interceptions and 14 pass breakups. He’s also routinely graded out as a very good run defender and tackler as well. Opposing quarterbacks have a below-average passer rating when targeting him.

PFF’s projected contract: 3 years – $42.75 million

Source

 

[Indianapolis Colts]

Colts not close enough to contention to make big trade this offseason

There appear to be a number of top tier players who could be available this offseason for trade. However, the Indianapolis Colts are not in a position currently to be acquiring those players.

So far this offseason, star pass rusher Myles Garrett has requested a trade from Cleveland. On Sunday, it was reported by Adam Schefter that 49ers’ receiver Deebo Samuel has been granted permission to find a trade partner.

Also on Sunday, Ian Rapoport reported that the “long-term futures” of pass rushers Maxx Crosby and Micah Parsons are also up in the air at this time.

Would any of those players just mentioned make the Colts better? Of course they would. But also, the Colts aren’t one player away from being a contender either.

Following an 8-9 season in 2024, which was the fourth straight year that the Colts missed the playoffs and it also became the 10th consecutive year that Indianapolis didn’t win the AFC South, GM Chris Ballard was honest in his assessment of the team during his end of season press conference.

“Right now, we’re not close,” Ballard said. “I’m going to make this really clear. Close is losing on the last play of the Super Bowl. That’s close. Going 8-9, that’s not close. No, I’m not saying we won’t be closer when we get to the start of [next] season. But right now, sitting here today, we’re an 8-9 football team. We’ve got to own that.”

Ballard would admit that how he constructed the roster in 2024 was a “mistake.” While he banked on continuity being a catalyst for the Colts to take a big step forward following a 9-8 season in 2023, the team would instead regress.

DeForest Buckner would mention “ego” as one of the issues on the defensive side of the ball. Ballard would use the word “complacent” when discussing the roster.

To overcome that, the emphasis this offseason will be on competition and infusing that element throughout the team. As you look at this Colts roster, just about every position group could use an addition or two in that regard with the hope that it elevates the floor and play of each unit.

So for a Colts team that has work to do, parting with premium draft capital doesn’t make much sense when this team needs more than just one position addressed–even if it is with a really good player.

In addition to that, not only would the Colts be sending away a top flight draft pick or two to make an addition, but there is the salary cap impact as well of bringing on a hefty contract that would likely require an extension.

That is then going to limit what the Colts can do elsewhere in free agency. As of now, the Colts have a modest amount of cap spacing, ranking 18th with just over $28 million in salary cap room, according to Over the Cap.

While it’s a fun thought, the Colts are not close enough to contending where a trade of that magnitude would put them over the top and losing out on high draft picks and cap space would limit their ability to address other position groups when there is a need throughout most of the roster.

Source: https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/09/colts-not-in-a-position-to-make-big-trade-this-offseason/

 

[Indianapolis Colts]

Colts 14th on waiver wire priority for start of 2025 NFL league year

Following the Super Bowl, the NFL’s waiver wire period for the 2025 league year began on Monday, and the Indianapolis Colts will be 14th on that list.

From now through Week 3 of the 2025 regular season, the waiver wire order will align with the 2025 NFL draft order–hence why the Colts are 14th. From Week 4 and on in the regular season, the waiver wire priority will be determined by each team’s record at that point.

Players with four or more seasons of accrued NFL seasons are not subject to the waiver wire until after the 2025 NFL trade deadline. Up until that point, any player who is released and has at least four years of credited seasons will automatically become an unrestricted free agent and can sign where they please.

However, for those players with three or fewer accrued seasons, they will be subject to the waiver system.

In short, how this works, is once a player is on waivers, for 24 hours any team can put in a claim on that player. If the Colts and the Packers put in a claim on the same player, for example, that player would end up in Indianapolis because the Colts are 14th in waiver priority and the Packers are 23rd.

If a player goes unclaimed on waivers during that initial 24 hour period, they then become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team.

Cornerback Samuel Womack was claimed on waivers by GM Chris Ballard following roster cutdowns prior to the 2024 NFL season.

Free agency and the draft are going to be the primary ways that the Colts add to their roster this offseason, but waivers is another avenue teams use and is something to be mindful of with the offseason underway.

Source: https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2025...-wire-priority-for-start-of-2025-league-year/

 

[Indianapolis Colts]

Colts 2025 free agency predictions: Will QB Sam Ehlinger return?

In the coming weeks, we will be taking a closer look at each of the Indianapolis Colts’ unrestricted free agents and making a prediction as to whether or not they will return for the 2025 season.

Up next, let’s take a look at quarterback Sam Ehlinger. If you’ve missed any of our other free agency predictions, you can find them below.

Will Fries
Julian Blackmon
Grant Stuard
Ryan Kelly
Dayo Odeyingbo
Mo Alie-Cox
Trey Sermon
Ashton Dulin
Mark Glowinski
Taven Bryan

Ehlinger was a 2021 sixth-round selection by the Colts and just finished out Year 4 of his rookie deal.

On the Colts this past season, Ehlinger was the team’s third quarterback behind Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco.

He was inactive when both Richardson and Flacco were available, but filled in as the backup for several games when Richardson was sidelined. Elingher has seen only three offensive snaps over the last two seasons.

Bringing in competition for Richardson is on the offseason to-do list for GM Chris Ballard. While Ehlinger won’t check that box, depth is needed at the position as well with Richardson and Jason Bean the only quarterbacks currently under contract for the 2025 season.

I do believe Ehlinger could provide that depth through training camp and potentially be the Colts’ third quarterback once again.

The big reason I think that is because late last season, Ballard told The Athletic that Ehlinger was one of the “strongest voices” in Richardson’s corner as he went through being benched. With the Colts still wanting Richardson to be the guy at quarterback, I do think there is value in having Ehlinger’s presence and that relationship on the roster.

Prediction: Colts re-sign Sam Ehlinger.

Source: https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2025...ency-predictions-will-qb-sam-ehlinger-return/

 

[Indianapolis Colts]

Report: Colts 'targeting' another veteran DB coach

The Indianapolis Colts may not be done adding to their defensive coaching staff under Lou Anarumo.

According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Colts are “targeting” veteran defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson.

Zenitz doesn’t specify what the specific role for Henderson would be.

Chris Hewitt was added to the coaching staff recently to be the pass game coordinator and secondary coach under Anarumo. Perhaps Henderson would take on an assistant role in the secondary or he and Hewitt could each be responsible for one of the safety and cornerback positions, which is the setup Anarumo had in Cincinnati, for what it’s worth.

Last season, Henderson was the New York Giants’ defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator.

He has been with the Giants the last five seasons and interviewed for New York’s defensive coordinator role in 2024 when the team moved on from Wink Martindale.

Since getting his start as a coach in the NFL in 2007, Henderson has also had stops at Atlanta (2016-2019), Dallas (2012-2015), Cleveland (2009-2011), and with the New York Jets (2007-2008).

At each coaching stop, Henderson has worked with the defensive backs.

GM Chris Ballard was direct in his season-ending press conference about the secondary play, specifying that the Colts have to get better on the back end. Last season, the Colts ranked in the bottom third in passer rating allowed, completion rate, pass deflections, and yards per pass attempt.

Anarumo’s coaching background is rooted in the secondary and his disguise-heavy scheme can help with some of that heavy lifting when it comes to improved play. Hewitt also has extensive and impressive track record of working with defensive backs.

Now, the Colts are potentially adding another experienced voice in Henderson to the mix as well.

Getting more out of the safeties and cornerbacks is going to take some additions on Ballard’s part, but the Colts are investing heavily into this position group with their coaching staff.

Source: https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2025...teran-defensive-backs-coach-jerome-henderson/

 

[Indianapolis Colts]

Shane Steichen on Colts' open QB competition for Anthony Richardson

The Indianapolis Colts will have an open competition at quarterback for Anthony Richardson this season.

Like GM Chris Ballard, head coach Shane Steichen believes that this will ultimately be a good thing for Richardson.

“I think it’s good,” Steichen said about the competition. “I think competition is great for everybody. Any time you got competition at any position, whether it’s the quarterback position or wherever it may be, I think it makes everybody better.”

After returning to the starting lineup in Week 11 after being benched, Richardson’s play did improve. This not only included his overall production, but he was more refined from a process standpoint in the pocket.

However, overall, more consistency is still needed. Richardson finished the 2024 season completing a league-low 47.7% of his passes, according to PFF.

Also, a part of the equation is Richardson proving that he can stay healthy for a full season.

“I think consistency is the biggest thing,” Steichen said on what he wants to see from Richardson. “We’ve had those conversations, myself and him. Just being consistent. Obviously, being on the field–15 games the last two years. He played 11 last year and did some really good things, but just looking for the consistency.”

Ballard mentioned that Richardson is back in Florida for the offseason, working with his trainers. One key difference between this offseason compared to last is that Richardson is fully healthy and able to hit the ground running right away with his training.

It was also reported that Richardson will be working with the same quarterback expert who worked with the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen early on in his career.

Richardson making a jump in 2025 begins with improved fundamentals.

“Building on the fundamentals and obviously continuing to work on his passing, getting the completion percentage up will be big going forward for him,” Steichen said.

“It’s repetitions. You look at those things, just repetitions going over and over again is going to be big for him. The fundamental part of it. I think he has really quick feet. I’ve said that before, really quick feet, and I think it’s just getting the repetitions with those guys to get that completion percentage up.”

Source: https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2025...n-quarterback-competition-anthony-richardson/