The 2025 season is firmly in the rearview mirror for the Indianapolis Colts and plans for 2026 are underway. We know a few things heading into the season such as who will be the general manager and coach, but there are more questions than answers at this time. That may sound fairly innocuous, but it is truly an awful reality that is facing this franchise. Going down a familiar path, covered in holes and with few resources to fill them, is not where a team wants to be.
NFL teams live and die by the quarterback. Yes, Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson won Super Bowls, but that isn’t common at all. Elite quarterback play is now a requirement, not a “nice to have” anymore. Daniel Jones checked that box early, but leading up to his injury, things were already sliding. Will he be ready in time, and is he even the answer? What is the depth chart behind him? Will Anthony Richardson play for the Colts or even ever again? Is there more to Riley Leonard, or was Week 18 a flash in the pan?
How should the Colts address other holes? Historically, they have had tons of cap space under Chris Ballard. Not that it was good to have, but the team is firmly in the middle this year, so don’t expect a ton of spending in free agency. That doesn’t mean the Colts can’t find someone who can make a difference though. It might be their only shot because the first-round pick belongs to the Jets. Knowing Sauce Gardner is on your team is a good feeling, so that will have to suffice in 2026. Is he enough to elevate this defense? What if he and Charvarius Ward struggle to stay healthy again? Will there be enough depth behind them?
Ok, so these “what ifs” may be needless worrying about things that will work themselves out. While that could be the case, they and many other questions will dictate 2026. Bringing back the same two men at the top has to lead fans to believe they will see more of the same. What’s next for the Colts given their current restraints? Unfortunately, the answer is most likely more of the same.
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