The Indianapolis Colts entered the 2026 NFL Draft in a tough spot. Because of the Sauce Gardner trade, they'd had to wait until Day 2 of the event to make their first selection of the event, and while the class wasn't particularly deep, it was still a less-than-ideal scenario.
Even then, it looked like they had struck gold with rookie linebacker CJ Allen. Not only was he a potential centerpiece to a room that underwent an offseason overhaul, but he also looked like a first-round-caliber guy who'd gone on Day 1 if it weren't for positional value.
Fast forward to today, and the fans may not feel that way anymore. That's why general manager Chris Ballard preached patience with the Georgia product, hinting that he may not be ready to contribute right out of the gate.
The Indianapolis Colts are being patient with CJ Allen
To be fair, Allen was pretty banged up through training camp, so we can't blame him for this sluggish start. As Ballard said, he's pretty much playing catch-up, and some guys just need more time to get their legs under them.
That said, this hasn't been an encouraging start at all. He's looked heavy on his feet, sluggish, and hesitant when reading opposing players. It's not that he's struggled as much as that he's been a complete non-factor, even failing to record a single stat in the first half of a preseason game.
The Colts hoped that Allen would be their green-dot guy right off the bat. He showcased the potential to be a defensive quarterback at the next level, drawing praise for his strong instincts and aggressive style of play. Thus far, all of that has been missing in action.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo may have had to change his plans for the linebacker room, at least early on in the season. Instead of Allen, fellow rookie Bryce Boettcher has turned most heads with his strong camp and even stronger preseason.
There are always some growing pains with first-year players. Even No. 1 picks have to go through a learning curve and an adjustment period, so the team just has to stay patient and supportive with him as he goes through the ebbs and flows of being a rookie who missed crucial time before Week 1.
He'll have an uphill battle to turn things around and ease some of the well-justified concerns about his sluggish play. They'll have to throw him into the fire at some point to let him grow through his mistakes, but just days before the season opener, he doesn't look ready to play a single snap.
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