5 Things To Watch As Colts Begin 2025 Offseason Program - Page 6

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INDIANAPOLIS – While the NFL Draft will dominate the headlines next week, the Colts will also welcome their veteran players back to their building for the start of the offseason program.

A gradual progression to individual work, 7-on-7 action and team drills will begin next week for the Colts.

The Colts can hold up to 10 OTA sessions, but are electing to have just 6 of them (May 28-30; June 3-5), before a 3-day mandatory minicamp (June 10-12) ends the offseason program.

What will I be watching for during the offseason program?

1. The Battle

No need to beat around the bush, the biggest news item will be if we see any spring separation between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.

As pointed out above, the Colts have 9 scheduled team practices (with 11-on-11 reps taking place) scheduled this spring. Media can watch 5 of those 9 days of work.

So we will get a bit of a glimpse into how things are being handled between Richardson and Jones.

Expecting earth shattering movement between the two is probably unfair. Still though, the Colts have preached a real competition, so any reps matter.

2. Richardson’s Fundamentals

Specifically, how Anthony Richardson looks after his first healthy offseason will be something to certainly watch.

It goes without saying how critical of a season this is for Richardson. He needed to make changes to his fundamental approach in the accuracy department.

How that looks and how much Richardson can ingrain that before training camp will be paramount.

This time last year, Richardson was still ramping it up from a throwing velocity/workload standpoint after shoulder surgery.

In 2025, Richardson’s off-season focus could take on more concentration of fundamental improvement with his throwing mechanics.

3. Defensive Install

For the first time since 2022, the Colts will be installing a new defense this offseason.

While Lou Anarumo’s defense isn’t thought to be overly complex, it certainly will have a few more intricacies than life under Gus Bradley.

New verbiage will be learned. And new communication will be needed between Zaire Franklin and whoever joins him at linebacker, plus in the secondary with a pair of new starters.

4. New Leaders Emerge?

Gone this offseason is the longest tenured Colt, and captain, Ryan Kelly.

On a smaller front, gone are 2024 starters in Kylen Granson, Will Fries, Dayo Odeyingbo, E.J. Speed and Julian Blackmon (still a free agent).

In 2024, the Colts had issues with their leadership and that message reaching all corners of the locker room.

Where does the blame go for that? Shane Steichen? The captains? The players not living up to the standard?

No matter, it’ll be interesting to see if any new faces or voices emerge as leaders, for a franchise that hasn’t turned over many of those people in prior years.

5. Early Look At Open Starting Jobs

I can’t recall an offseason where the Colts had more playing time/starting jobs up for grabs.

The list is long:

-Quarterback, duh

-Running Back depth

-Tight end playing time

-Center

-Right guard

-Linebacker 2 and Linebacker 3

-Kicker?

Yes, quarterback will draw the bulk of the headlines, but the Colts have quite a few other spots to sift through after an offseason with a different approach from Chris Ballard.