With offseason programs behind us, what questions remain on offense for the Indianapolis Colts?

What questions remain on the offensive side of the football for the Indianapolis Colts with offseason programs now behind us?

Following the conclusion of minicamp, the team will now break until July 22nd, when training camp begins.

While we can glean a little from what takes place during OTAs and minicamp, the pads aren’t on, and the emphasis at this time of the year is often on installs, fundamentals, technique, and communication.

So any questions that existed prior to offseason programs likely still exist as we begin to turn our focus to training camp. Let’s dive into what those unknowns are on offense for the Colts.

Who takes control of the Colts’ starting quarterback job?

We might as well start with the big one, right? With Anthony Richardson sidelined for most of OTAs and minicamp, it gave Daniel Jones the opportunity to take all of the starting reps, and head coach Shane Steichen was “very pleased” with what he saw from the veteran quarterback.

Several reports suggest that Richardson should be available for the start of training camp. However, depending on when he starts throwing again, just because he’s available on July 22nd, may not mean he’s a full-go with a ramp-up period required to get his shoulder back into throwing shape.

Although Richardson was sidelined for most of the on-field work, that missed time in May and June isn’t going to determine who starts in Week 1. But with that said, having missed out on a number of reps, he’ll have to make up ground quickly once he’s back on the field.

How do Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves look at center and right guard?

Outside of quarterback, this is my biggest question on the entire Colts’ roster. By moving on from Ryan Kelly and Will Fries this offseason, the team is banking heavily on the development of Bortolini and Goncalves to fill those starting roles. And while it’s been said that both are competing for those jobs, they are also the presumed starters until we see otherwise.

Bortolini performed well when called upon as a rookie, but he’s still a relatively inexperienced player at a position where there is a lot on that player’s plate, both pre-snap with making calls and post-snap in the run game within Steichen’s offense.

Goncalves, meanwhile, had just 44 college snaps at guard and one last season with the Colts. Now, OL coach Tony Sparano would mention that Goncalves got guard reps in practice last season and progressed well as the year went on, but as we know, the game environment is very different.

Consistent success for the Colts’ offense begins up front, regardless of who the quarterback is. Providing a strong running game to lean on and time in the pocket for the quarterback is a must.

Can Colts’ WR AD Mitchell carry momentum into training camp?

Mitchell’s ability to create separation and get open has been evident since Day 1. However, drops, not being on the same page with the quarterback, and mis-timed or off routes were issues all last season as well.

The big thing for him, as Chris Ballard, Shane Steichen, and Jim Bob Cooter have discussed, is consistency. By all accounts, through the offseason programs, Mitchell has provided that. But now the next step is doing so when the pads come on and the intensity turns up. If he can, that will then lead to more opportunities.

“He’s done a really nice job,” Cooter said. “He’s had a great attitude attacking this spring. He’s had some opportunities in practice, and he’s made the most of those things, and those will keep coming.”

How do things shake out at backup running back?

Behind Jonathan Taylor, the Colts need more production this season, as Ballard said during the NFL combine. To provide that, the Colts added Khalil Herbert in free agency and drafted DJ Giddens, both of whom join Tyler Goodson in competing for that playing time.

Without the pads on during this time of the year, evaluating the running back position is very challenging, so we won’t get a better idea of where things stand or who is standing out until training camp arrives.

Taylor will, of course, shoulder the workload here. But having a reliable second option can reduce the dropoff in play when Taylor isn’t on the field, and over a 17-game season, fewer carries here and there can add up when it comes to wear and tear.

One other thing to watch for here is if someone can emerge and provide this offense with a passing game presence out of the backfield. This was an element that the Colts didn’t really have last season.