Going into training camp, early indications were that Daniel Jones was the favorite to get the starting QB position for the Indianapolis Colts over Anthony Richardson. Neither Danny Dimes nor AR5 have had a stellar showing in the early days of training camp. Both have struggled, as the Colts defense is leaning more aggressive under Lou Anarumo and the DBs have played tight coverage. Jones has thrown some interceptions, while Richardson left some throws short and also missed WR Alec Pearce on a deep route overthrow. It would seem that Richardson started getting his act together, though, as the week drew to a close and his throws were more on target, leading to the possibility that he is taking the lead on the starting role.
Not only are the Colts having a battle to determine who deliver the ball downfield, there is also a battle to see who will deliver the ball to the quarterback. Perennial starter Ryan Kelly left in free agency to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. The fight to earn the starting center job is ongoing between Tanor Bortolini and Danny Pinter. Bortolini is believed to have the edge going into training camp, but Pinter is giving it his all to earn the starting nod. Bortlini is entering his second NFL season, while Danny Pinter is heading into his sixth. This position has a lot put on it no matter which team we would be talking about, but that can be amplified in the Colts offense. Whomever is chosen to replace Kelly will have big shoes to fill.
The tight end position has also been talked about, thanks to Indianapolis drafting Penn State standout Tyler Warren. He is thought to have the skills to finally end the struggles the Colts tight ends have had the past several seasons. The number 14 overall pick in this year's draft, Warren is more than just a pass catcher. He knows how to block and adjust to different schemes. Veterans Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree will also see playing time as the Colts are known to use a two tight end set. Ogletree is considered to be a better blocker than Alie-Cox but, barring some unforeseen circumstance, Warren will likely prove to be the better pass catcher garnering more playing time.
The Colts are also searching for a kicker during training camp. There will be tryouts both at training camp and back at the Colts facility to determine who will tee it up in 2025. At this point, it would appear to be a two-person competition between rookie Maddux Trujillo and Spencer Shrader. Trujillo spent his college career at Temple and is known for hitting a 64-yard field goal against Utah State. Shrader is entering his second season in the NFL after seeing limited playing time with the Jets and Colts in 2024. With both being relatively untested in NFL action, time will tell who takes the lead or if someone new enters the competition.
The first few days of training camp were not going to provide us with clear-cut favorites for these positions. As the dog days of summer drag on, there will begin to be separation between the candidates for these and other position battles. There are always tough decisions to be made and those will begin once teams begin to dwindle down their rosters. What have we learned? The answer is that nothing is a given in the NFL and every starting position must be earned.