While the Indianapolis Colts have struggled to be mediocre for the last several seasons, one coach, Tony Sparano Jr., has more than earned his keep. No matter what happens with the rest of the team, Indy's offensive line coach has a way of cranking out elite groups.
In fact, he appears to elevate players such as right guard Matt Goncalves into very good players after the team lost Will Fries in free agency. Fries wasn't quite as good after joining the Minnesota Vikings last offseason in free agency, but he wouldn't be. He didn't have Sparano to coach him.
Thank goodness Goncalves does, and the offensive lineman isn't resting on his laurels from being a full-time starter for the first time in his career last year. He made that clear to the media recently during the Colts voluntary workouts.
Indianapolis Colts right guard Matt Goncalves is ready for the 2026 season
"(I'm) coming into this year just more prepared, understanding the game plan, understanding my responsibilities, the technique," the right guard said. "I feel very comfortable coming into this year, compared to last year. Last year was kind of like a feeling out process. It's a very difficult thing to do, transition to another position – one that you never played. So I feel a lot more comfortable and I feel great right now."
To be sure, Matt Goncalves transitioned fantastically. He allowed just two sacks and was consistently good at opening holes in the run game. He had only played right tackle before, so being so good, so quickly, is impressive.
That previous part is important, though. While Indianapolis could leave Goncalves at right guard forever and not worry about the future at that spot, Indy might also need him to play right tackle again. Longtime starter Braden Smith left in free agency and signed with the Houston Texans. Jalen Travis is his likely replacement.
Travis was quite good as a rookie at right tackle, but whether he can meet expectations in his second season and beyond as the full-time starter is a different issue. Should he get the starting gig but struggle early in the season, the Indianapolis Colts might have no other option but to replace him with Goncalves. Travis would then slide inside.
It is great that Goncalves feels comfortable at right guard, but he might not have a chance to truly get used to it. The irony is that Colts fans should hope he does.
If Jalen Travis works out well as right tackle, the Indianapolis offensive line is set for a while. Bernhard Raimann will play left tackle, Quenton Nelson will be the left guard, Tanor Bortolini will play center, Matt Goncalves at right guard, and Travis at right tackle. That would be one of the better O-lines in the NFL for many years to come.
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