The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2023 NFL offseason with big plans. Here are three bold predictions for what will happen in Indy.
The Indianapolis Colts should have some big goals for this offseason. After falling flat on their faces this past season, Indianapolis should be aggressive about addressing all of its problems so that the team can return to contender status next season. With a head coaching search, a top-four pick in the NFL Draft, and a nice amount of cap space, the Colts should have a productive offseason. But how productive can it be?
Will Indianapolis be able to hit home runs with its coaching hire, in the draft, and in free agency? Or will Indy take any hits this offseason? It’s possible they could be left at the altar by another coaching candidate and also lose some key players in free agency. As far as the 2023 Draft, anything could happen. The only way to guarantee you get at least one of the players you want is to have the No. 1 overall pick. The Colts don’t have that, so it’s possible they could leave the first round of the draft without a quarterback.
This early in the offseason, everything is possible, the good and the bad. But what is likely to really happen? Let’s take a look at three bold predictions for the Colts this offseason.
3. Jeff Saturday will be a finalist for the Colts
As much as people thought it wouldn’t happen, Jeff Saturday is a candidate to be Indy’s next head coach, even after going 1-7 as the team’s interim head coach. However, general manager Chris Ballard defended Saturday’s record and announced that he would be a candidate. Many people criticized the Colts for that decision and are surprised that this is a reality for the franchise. However, the surprise likely won’t stop there.
Jeff Saturday will probably be a finalist for Indy’s head coaching job. I’m not bold enough to predict that he will be named the next head coach of the Colts but all signs are pointing to him being taken seriously by the franchise and his case is gaining momentum. We know that Jim Irsay loves Saturday, and both Irsay and Ballard have praised Jeff Saturday’s leadership despite the team going 1-7 during his stint. Additionally, Saturday has the support of some of the biggest names in Indy’s locker room.
Veteran leaders Shaquille Leonard, DeForest Buckner, Ryan Kelly, and Kenny Moore have all voiced support for Saturday and would welcome a return to see what he can do with a full offseason. Between the players’ support, his relationship with the franchise, and Saturday’s passion and love for the Colts and the city, it’s not hard to imagine that Saturday will find himself in the final round of coaching interviews for Indianapolis.