2025 Colts’ Season Predictions

Greetings everyone! After somewhat of a summer break it feels great to finally be back and writing about our dear Colts’ team. The quiet offseason was nice, sure—but as writers, we kind of live for the drama. And thankfully, football is finally upon us again. With that, I’m taking the bold step of putting my predictions for the season in writing, so you can all come back when it’s over and either roast me… or crown me a prophet.

Colts will finish the season with no certainty in the quarterback position.

Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson are fighting for the starting quarterback position — and so far there seems to be no clear winner. There is a chance that with heightened competition and a proper training camp experience Richardson finally starts to climb towards the potential that made him a top 5 pick, and let me be clear: I’m not saying he needs to be All-Pro, just that we see growth—enough for the Colts to say, “Hey, this guy’s not there yet, but he’s trending up. Let’s give him more time.”

Daniel Jones never got a decent all-around supporting cast while he was with the Giants, but he was not even an average NFL quarterback in his entire career. The Colts might be hoping that he can capture the same magic that late-blooming quarterbacks had (Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith, Sam Darnold, Jared Goff). Sometimes a change of scenery is all a player needs to jump-start their career once again. The Colts are the perfect spot for a quarterback to land. They have a really good offensive line, proven receivers, an emerging tight end prospect, an All-Pro caliber running back, and an offensive-minded head-coach.

My prediction is that neither Anthony Richardson nor Daniel Jones emerge as a clear starting option, but alas, whoever starts will not be so bad that the Colts end up near the bottom of the league and are basically forced to get rid of both of them and take a quarterback. That will probably be the worst case scenario, in what looks like a strong quarterback class so far.

Defense will make a massive jump and be a top 8 unit in the NFL.

New defensive coordinator, shored up the secondary, young players that are breakout candidates, and a forgiving schedule. The Colts’ defense could very easily be one of the best units in the NFL next season. Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum will help solidify what was already a solid backend of the defense, Laiatu Latu (more on him later), Nick Cross, Jaylon Carlies, and Jaylon Jones are all young players that look ready to take that next step, and I believe that Lou Anarummo will work wonders with the talent he has at his disposal.

The only clear weakness I see on the Colts’ defense is the linebacker position. If Anarummo insists on Zaire Franklin being a capable starter in this day and age, then we are basically gifting opponents an easy prey on passing downs. Perhaps the new coaching will realize that this we are in 2025 and that linebackers like Zaire Franklin just do not work in today’s NFL, that is my hope.

Jonathan Taylor will carry the offense.

Taylor was not good last year. Yeah sure, if you look at the season numbers it seems like he had an impressive season, but he racked up 520 rushing yards (36.8% of his total), and 6 rushing touchdowns (of 11) on the final three games of the year, against easy opponents, when the season was already basically over. One also has to keep in mind the infamous goal line fumble, dropping the ball just before reaching the endzone. A mistake that ended up costing the Colts the game, and the season.

Now I think that this year, without a contract dispute to worry about, with once again an amazing offensive line in front of him, and now with a true #1 tight end lined up on the line, I predict that Jonathan Taylor will have truly an elite season and be the motor of the Colts’ offense.

Laiatu Latu will have a breakout season.

Latu’s season was nowhere close to being a “complete disappointment” as some people were saying. While he did struggle to close out sacks, his pressure numbers were on par with Jared Verse, and several other rookie seasons for top edge-rushers. Gus Bradley was also famous for prioritizing lane integrity and really limiting what edge rushers can do, which is quite the opposite from Anarummo’s exotic blitz packages that will keep opposing offensive lines guessing.

With more experience, a new coaching staff that will allow for more freedom, and the starting job fully his, I expect a breakout season from Latu. I am imagining at least a top 10 pressure number, and double-digit sacks. The Colts’ defense desperately needs a pass-rushing specialist, something they lacked ever since Robert Mathis retired. A player that can consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, and a guy that can get the stop needed when the opposing team is mounting a drive.

Colts will not make the playoffs.

Hot take? Eh, not really. It’s probably the consensus. While we, as fans, often ride that preseason optimism, I just don’t see a clear path to the postseason this year.. The roster is good enough, but with AR or Daniel Jones at quarterback it will be too much of an uphill battle, and winning close games is really difficult without at least an average signal-caller. The Colts also do not have a proven kicker, something that can very easily be the main difference between a win and a loss.

My only doubt is whether the Colts be good enough to remain competitive throughout the season, which would be fun, but would definitely hurt the team long term with such a loaded quarterback class coming up.