NFL Win/Loss Preview Series: Indianapolis Colts originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Some Offseason Questions Are Normal, Just Not Ones Under Center…
COLTS’ WIN/LOSS ODDS:
A dismal four-win campaign left the Colts with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft — and with it a chance to resurrect the franchise back to championship relevancy. Indy snatched up Florida’s dual-threat physical freak Anthony Richardson as the third quarterback off the board, with hopes to build off a shortened college career featuring just 22 starts at QB. Big risk, big reward, right?
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Fast forward to current times and A-Rich added just 15 more starts to that total, with extremely poor results — -0.08 EPA/dropback, 50.6% completion, 67.8 passer rating, 159.4 passing yards per game, 0.8 TD:INT ratio. Yikes, that’s not gonna do it.
Presumably about to get another chance to lead the organization, recently Richardson apparently re-injured the same shoulder he’s already had surgery on. Not great, Bob…
The famous saying’s always been “when you have two quarterbacks, you actually have zero” and I won’t necessarily disagree. However, let me commend the Colts for the offseason signing of former Giants’ QB Daniel Jones. Instead of chasing the fleeting success with an ancient Joe Flacco, Indy brought in a similar archetype to Richardson, which should theoretically keep HC Shane Steichen and OC Jim Bob Cooter’s fast-paced stylistics in check. Keyword, theoretically.
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Granted, Daniel Jones represents another roller coaster ride at the position but if (and it’s a big IF) the 2022 version of DJ shows up come Opening Kickoff, eight wins could come easy in a very beatable division. Betting the Colts feels like a total vibe play to me.
To bring it full circle, it comes down to questionable draft picks. I’d feel an order of magnitude better about the prospect of adding to last year’s eight wins had the Colts spent the 1.14 on a pass-rusher instead of a tight end. Despite playing some decent defense at stretches, the rush metrics rank so poorly, they can’t be ignored (9.0 hurries/game, 7.9 hits/game, 1.9 sacks/game, 11.2% blitz, 29.1% pressure, 5.6% sack). That’s easily bottom-3 production from the D-line and a sure path to failure. Is second round rookie DE JT Tuimoloau enough to solidify the trenches? I have my doubts…
NOTE: In this age of dynamic QB play, you’ll always get burned allowing the opposing QB to operate on-platform. Write that down.
LAGHEZZA’S LEAN:
Maybe it’s my being too close to Giants’ fans here in New York, but I can’t back a team with such glaring questions at QB — especially without a shutdown defense. In the event the Colts’ D allows another +25 PPG, can you trust Daniel Jones to lead what projects as a short-game offense down the field at will? My answer’s a resounding no.
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Color me indifferent on COLTS OVER 9.5 WINS (+100) on Fanduel.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.